4 Police Officers Shot Dead At Coffee Shop

[Shifty]

Just horrible. It happened in Tacoma, Washington.

Four police officers shot dead at Lakewood coffee shop
Published: 11/29/09 9:28 am | Updated: 11/29/09 9:41 am The News Tribune

Four local police officers were killed this morning at a Parkland-area coffee shop, and dozens of investigators backed by search dogs and a helicopter were hunting for their killer.

Witnesses described the killer as a black man, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9, in his 20s or 30s, with scruffy facial hair and wearing a black coat and blue jeans.

He walked into the Forza coffee shop at 11401 S. Steele Street about 8:30 a.m. and opened fire on the four officers, who were at a table doing pre-shift paperwork.

The man then fled southbound on foot.

The officers – three men and one woman – all worked for the Lakewood Police Department. All were in uniform. Their families have been notified, Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said. They are the first Lakewood officers killed in the line of duty since the department was formed in 2004.

"This was an execution, no doubt," Troyer said. "This was a targeted attack."

The Sheriff's Department will be the lead investigating agency on the homicides.

Investigators don't know what kind of weapon was used or how many shots were fired. It's not known whether any of the officers were able to fire back, Troyer said.

Troyer said if anyone sees police activity, to stay away.

Law enforcements from all over the region have responded to the scene.

The Sheriff's Department is in the process of notifying next of kin and coworkers.

"We are having a lot of colleagues wake up to this news," Troyer said.

The gunman opened fire with a handgun. The baristas and two customers inside were not injured.

Police are possibly looking for another person and are searching multiple places, including residences and parking lot, Troyer said at a news briefing.

There is no information on the motive for the deadly killing. There was no preexisting threat against the officers.

As of right now, there is no link to the Oct. 31 slaying of Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton, who was gunned down as he and a colleague sat in a patrol car in Seattle. Police have arrested a man in connection with that case.

The Sheriff's Department has set up a special tips line: 866-977-2362. Tipsters also can call Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

There is a $10,000 reward.

Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said he's following the developments in the slaying of the four officers.

"Our hearts go out to the families," he said. "One of our main concerns right now is we still have some crazy coldblooded killer or killers on the loose."Witness accounts from the four officers killed this morning in a coffee shop.

Mike Bostwick drove the coffee shop this morning as just as a couple of police cars were arriving moments after the shooting.

"I saw three vehicles pulling into Forza right off the bat," he said.

"I was trying to say out of the way."

Bostwick said the officers have been working on gang issues in the area.

"I feel safe again," he said. "I think the response is wonderful."

Jim Waldeck of Spanaway said he was on his Ralph's Tavern for a cup of coffee like every day. He drove by the coffee shop and saw two Lakewood cars out front.

"That's not unusual," Waldeck said. "It's pretty scary."

At Rollies Tavern nearby, the plasma TVs usually tuned to football had Northwest Cable News on. Three bar patrons live next door to the Forza.

Jerry Arnold, 45, was in bed when he was awakened by sirens. He's lived there seven years and never seen anything close to Sunday's scene.

"I've never seen anything like it," he said. "It's always been a nice area to live.

"I hope they get them. I can't sleep until they do. Those guys could be hiding in my backyard."

Drew Ruttin, 29, says the area is relatively low-crime: "it's a busy enough thoroughfare that it stays safe. But this is just crazy."

David Gabrielson, 27, lives in the Willow Park Apartments across the street. He's a cashier at the nearby 76 station.

He got into work at 8. At 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.

The cops started going crazy. Tons of cars blaring their sirens," he said. "This neighborhood's not that bad. At least I used to think so."

 

[katie_girl09]

Uh oh! Whoever did that is in some trouble! You know how police tend to make more of an effort in finding out who killed fellow officers...

 

[Alex The Great]

Damn, well, there's a bad pun I want to say but I know it aint right

 

[LiveWire777]

poor guys

 

[Wolfwood]

Damn, pretty crazy. Is Tacoma a really rough part of Washington or what?

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Well hopefully who ever they catch for doing this really did it because they're going to kill him on site.

 

[bgates87]

Well hopefully who ever they catch for doing this really did it because they're going to kill him on site.

Wow, you just have a problem with cops in general don't you? Do you personally know the cops involved in the investigation so well you can predict their actions? Or are you foolishly basing your opinion of all police officers on an experience you've had or an idea that's been put in your head by the media that in reality only represents a very small portion of all police officers?

 

[Lemonhead]

Insane, doesn't sound random either.

 

[Shifty]

The article has been updated. They say there were no threats made against the officers, though they had been dealing with gangs lately.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Wow, you just have a problem with cops in general don't you? Do you personally know the cops involved in the investigation so well you can predict their actions? Or are you foolishly basing your opinion of all police officers on an experience you've had or an idea that's been put in your head by the media that in reality only represents a very small portion of all police officers?

I don't need to know the officers involved to know that cops can be trigger happy when it comes to alledged cop killers.

 

[Mace Dolex]

Hope they send Robocop after that punk.

 

[Kingfish]

Wow, you just have a problem with cops in general don't you? Do you personally know the cops involved in the investigation so well you can predict their actions? Or are you foolishly basing your opinion of all police officers on an experience you've had or an idea that's been put in your head by the media that in reality only represents a very small portion of all police officers?

I don't need to know the officers involved to know that cops can be trigger happy when it comes to alledged cop killers.

So, it's the second one then? Gotcha.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

So cops aren't trigger happy when it comes to alledged cop killers?

oh ok.

 

[Lemonhead]

I can see them throwing the guy a blanket party, but trigger happy is a cliche.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I don't need to know the officers involved to know that cops can be trigger happy when it comes to alledged cop killers.

So cops aren't trigger happy when it comes to alledged cop killers?

oh ok.

Oh get off it. You don't like cops, we get it. Four people who work hard to provide for themselves and their family are dead because the uniform they wore made them a target. Show some respect.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Oh get off it. You don't like cops, we get it. Four people who work hard to provide for themselves and their family are dead because the uniform they wore made them a target. Show some respect.

How did I disrespect the dead?

I simply stated that cops tend to be trigger happy when apprehending alledged cop killers.

 

[Majic Walrus]

How did I disrespect the dead?

I simply stated that cops tend to be trigger happy when apprehending alledged cop killers.

This means that you said that when it comes to cops dealing with other cops, cops don't follow the rules.

Imagine walking up to a dead bus driver's funeral and make a comment about how bus drivers don't do their jobs well.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

This means that you said that when it comes to cops dealing with other cops, cops don't follow the rules.

Imagine walking up to a dead bus driver's funeral and make a comment about how bus drivers don't do their jobs well.

But it's not a funeral, it's a thread on superhero website.

The subject matter isn't restricted to "what a tragedy". We can talk about the investigation, related incidents, and possible suspects.

 

[Majic Walrus]

But it's not a funeral, it's a thread on superhero website.

The subject matter isn't restricted to "what a tragedy". We can talk about the investigation, related incidents, and possible suspects.

What you chose to talk about was how cops are bad at their jobs. That's a dick move man. C'mon you're not stupid.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

How did I disrespect the dead?

I simply stated that cops tend to be trigger happy when apprehending alledged cop killers.

 

[Hotwire]

I simply stated that cops tend to be trigger happy when apprehending alledged cop killers.

Can you show at least three cases of an alleged cop killer being killed by the cops who were there to arrest him?

I'm betting you can't. Anyone else want in on this action?

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Wow. This guy's not gonna have a pleasant time when he's arrested and booked. I feel for these guys families.

 

[Ghostvirus]

 

[Paroxysm]

****** news, the killer is also suspected of another police shooting. the police will probably end up having to shoot him, i don't think he's going to go quietly.

 

[POWdER-man]

Uh oh! Whoever did that is in some trouble! You know how police tend to make more of an effort in finding out who killed fellow officers...

One of the reasons that cops go after cop killers more aggressively is if the killer has no qualms in killing a cop, they certainly have no qualms in killing anyone else's ass. Especially if they killed four of them in a coffee shop full of customers.