4 police officers killed in Wash. coffee shop

[T-Bone]

This will be one hell of a manhunt


4 police officers killed in Wash. coffee shop


breaking news
msnbc.com news services
updated 15 minutes ago
PARKLAND, Wash. - A gunman walked into a coffee shop and shot and killed four police officers Sunday morning in what sheriff's officials described as an "execution."

The officers were sitting in the cafe at a strip mall near the Tacoma suburb of Parkland with their laptop computers, preparing for their day shifts, when a man came in and opened fire, Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said.

The officers were obviously targeted because they were in full uniform and no one else was shot at, Troyer said.


"This was more of an execution. He walked in with the mind of shooting police officers," Troyer said.

It wasn't immediately known if any of the officers were able to return fire. They were declared dead at the scene.

Troyer said two employees and a few customers were in the Forza Coffee shop at the time but no one else was hurt. "As you can imagine they are all traumatized," Troyer said.

Authorities scoured the area for the gunman, who is believed to have fled on foot or by car. The suspect was described as a "scruffy"-looking black man in his 20s or 30s, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 10, wearing a black coat ands blue jeans.

"We are in the process of searching multiple locations," Troyer said.

Nearby McChord Air Force Base was put on alert.

No advance threats
The victims were three males and one female, all officers with the Lakewood Police Department southwest of Tacoma, Troyer said.

There were no specific advance threats against the officers, Troyer said.

A $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to those responsible.

Brad Carpenter, the founder of Forza Coffee, is a retired police officer himself, NBC News reported. Carpenter started Forza in 2002 and now has 21 stores, primarily in the Tacoma area.

Troyer said there was no known link between the Pierce County slayings and the Oct. 31 fatal shooting of a Seattle police officer who was ambushed as he sat in a parked patrol car with a rookie partner on a Seattle street.

Christopher John Monfort, 41, is charged with aggravated first-degree murder and attempted murder in that shooting. Monfort is also charged with arson and attempted first-degree murder for an October firebombing at a Seattle maintenance yard that damaged several police vehicles.

[steveo777]

Terrible...absolutely terrible!
I feel for the officers and their families. That's the risk they take when they go out into the public, a risk many of us take for granted. These guys never know if they are gonna return home at night. All it takes is one crazy person to take someone out of this world and away from their family forever. I hope they find their killers fast. This reminds me of why I respect the guys and gals that defend us and put their lives on the line for us every day, police and military people alike.

Now I wonder what the motive is...

[Ehwmatt]

The brazenness of this act alone is frightening, let alone the result of the act...

[T-Bone]

Motive? The jacknut has probably been in and out of jail his entire life and thinks it's the law enforcement's fault.

[T-Bone]

The brazenness of this act alone is frightening, let alone the result of the act...

Let's hope this ends quickly and doesn't turn into a spree

[Enigma869]

I just read this story an hour ago. How awful for the families of these cops and how awful for this community.

[KDOUBLEU]

People sometimes don't realize how dangerous this job can be. Please pray for the families of these officers. My prayers go out to all of them and I hope the Investigators can gather the information they need to catch these guys before it happens again. I hope my wife doesn't hear about this.

[portland]

very sad...just awful!

[larryfromnextdoor]

The brazenness of this act alone is frightening, let alone the result of the act...

yep,,

so terrible ...

[steveo777]

People sometimes don't realize how dangerous this job can be. Please pray for the families of these officers. My prayers go out to all of them and I hope the Investigators can gather the information they need to catch these guys before it happens again. I hope my wife doesn't hear about this.

Do you work in law enforcement? Just wondering because of the wife comment. If so, I'm sure this hits home for you more so than for most. Man, take care out there!

[brywool]

yeah, this makes 5 cops gunned down and killed here in Seattle in the past few months. It's all over TV this morning.
These cops were just sitting in a damned coffee shop...
I think it was three weeks ago now, they were having the service for the 1st one to get killed and RIGHT AFTER the service, they found the bastard that did it. Within an hour or so, they had the guy. Community tips lead to catching him. Hopefully, today's killer will be caught as quick.


WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???

[Michigan Girl]

People sometimes don't realize how dangerous this job can be. Please pray for the families of these officers. My prayers go out to all of them and I hope the Investigators can gather the information they need to catch these guys before it happens again. I hope my wife doesn't hear about this.

Do you work in law enforcement? Just wondering because of the wife comment. If so, I'm sure this hits home for you more so than for most. Man, take care out there!

Yep, one of Michigan's Finest...be careful out there KW!!!!!

This is awful...prayers to all!!!

[ProgRocker53]

Repulsive..

...a dear family friend of mine, Officer Larry Cox, was gunned down while pursuing a robber a few years ago. Biggest tragedy this small town of ours has seen in decades. Always sad to see someone undeservedly slain, let alone a police officer.

[Playitloudforme]

yeah, this makes 5 cops gunned down and killed here in Seattle in the past few months. It's all over TV this morning.
These cops were just sitting in a damned coffee shop...
I think it was three weeks ago now, they were having the service for the 1st one to get killed and RIGHT AFTER the service, they found the bastard that did it. Within an hour or so, they had the guy. Community tips lead to catching him. Hopefully, today's killer will be caught as quick.


WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???

Yeah...not crazy about this either. However, judging from the swiftness of action when it was just one cop, this guy doesn't stand a chance in hell of sneaking out scott free. SPD will be all over his ass. Still, it's getting weird around here, robberies, attacks with baseball bats... First Hill, Capitol Hill... and then one right down the street from me. Gaaah. Enough!

[Enigma869]

Words of wisdom!


Every night I watch you prepare,
Getting the right style, look, and attitude.
Folding the creases over and over,
Then you have to set the mood.

You are not allowed to be joyous,
Nor are you allowed to lose your cool.
No matter how mind boggling or dangerous the call,
You must respond and deal with all kinds of fools.

The career you have chosen is thankless,
Few people respect what you do,
The benefits and pay aren't much per say,
Yet night after night you walk out that door.

People may say what would he do all that for,
Why would you risk your life as a career?
So our children, family, and friends can feel safe.
Otherwise, a world without law is a world living in fear.

[KDOUBLEU]

Words of wisdom!


Every night I watch you prepare,
Getting the right style, look, and attitude.
Folding the creases over and over,
Then you have to set the mood.

You are not allowed to be joyous,
Nor are you allowed to lose your cool.
No matter how mind boggling or dangerous the call,
You must respond and deal with all kinds of fools.

The career you have chosen is thankless,
Few people respect what you do,
The benefits and pay aren't much per say,
Yet night after night you walk out that door.

People may say what would he do all that for,
Why would you risk your life as a career?
So our children, family, and friends can feel safe.
Otherwise, a world without law is a world living in fear.

Thanks for that.

[JasonD]

Just awful!!! Why did that guy do this? What purpose did it serve? I can understand someone down on their luck walking into a grocery store & out of desperation, shoplifting a pound of hamburger to feed their family--- but what this guy did is just plain senseless!!! Unfortunately, this kind of stuff will probably be popping up in the news a lot more in the coming days. They say the closer it gets to the holidays, the crazier people get. Didn't I read somewhere that the crime & suicide rate always increases during this time of the year?

My prayers go out to the families of these men.

[steveo777]

Just awful!!! Why did that guy do this? What purpose did it serve? I can understand someone down on their luck walking into a grocery store & out of desperation, shoplifting a pound of hamburger to feed their family--- but what this guy did is just plain senseless!!! Unfortunately, this kind of stuff will probably be popping up in the news a lot more in the coming days. They say the closer it gets to the holidays, the crazier people get. Didn't I read somewhere that the crime & suicide rate always increases during this time of the year?

My prayers go out to the families of these men.

People who do these kinds of things are empty, soul-less shells with no sense of value for human life. They themselves are walking dead. They are sick, selfish people who would not think twice about killing someone, especially a cop because cops don't let them conduct their lives and their evil ways as they see fit. Afterall, those times such a person got in trouble was always the law's fault in their minds.

[KDOUBLEU]

People sometimes don't realize how dangerous this job can be. Please pray for the families of these officers. My prayers go out to all of them and I hope the Investigators can gather the information they need to catch these guys before it happens again. I hope my wife doesn't hear about this.

Do you work in law enforcement? Just wondering because of the wife comment. If so, I'm sure this hits home for you more so than for most. Man, take care out there!

Yep, one of Michigan's Finest...be careful out there KW!!!!!

This is awful...prayers to all!!!

Thank you MG!!

[StevePerryHair]

People sometimes don't realize how dangerous this job can be. Please pray for the families of these officers. My prayers go out to all of them and I hope the Investigators can gather the information they need to catch these guys before it happens again. I hope my wife doesn't hear about this.

As a wife of a police officer, I wish I hadn't read this I avoid the news these days. I know these kinds of things always exist in my mind as something that could happen. But I tend to live life not worrying or thinking about it too much, because that kind of thing can drive you crazy. I learned that a long time ago. You don't expect something like this to happen when an officer is just having his morning coffee. Something almost every officer does most mornings, never thinking something like this will happen. So sad and tragic and pointless. I hope they catch whoever is responsible soon.

[StevePerryHair]

Words of wisdom!


Every night I watch you prepare,
Getting the right style, look, and attitude.
Folding the creases over and over,
Then you have to set the mood.

You are not allowed to be joyous,
Nor are you allowed to lose your cool.
No matter how mind boggling or dangerous the call,
You must respond and deal with all kinds of fools.

The career you have chosen is thankless,
Few people respect what you do,
The benefits and pay aren't much per say,
Yet night after night you walk out that door.

People may say what would he do all that for,
Why would you risk your life as a career?
So our children, family, and friends can feel safe.
Otherwise, a world without law is a world living in fear.

yes, love this one. Definitely a thankless job, yet they go willingly each day, putting their lives in danger for what is never enough pay. you have to be a special kind of person to handle this career and to actually love it.

[Enigma869]

Thanks for that.

No need to thank me at all. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and worked as a cop for many years, so my heart is still very heavy every time I hear a story like this. I've always referred to the job as "society's garbageman". It's a tough gig that I'm not sure most people really have an appreciation for. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the families, communities, and colleagues of these officers at what is a very difficult and senseless time.

[Playitloudforme]

They are looking for a specific "Person of Interest" now, even have this guy's picture up on CNN. We're so close to Canada...wonder if he'd run for the border?

[Michigan Girl]

http://www.ktbs.com/home/



Police are looking for a person of interest in the fatal shooting of four Lakewood police officers at a Parkland coffee shop.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters at the scene Sunday that Maurice Clemmons is one of several people investigators would like to talk to and can't be called a suspect at this point.

The 37-year-old is under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections. Spokesman Chad Lewis says he transferred from Arkansas where he had a record of robbery and theft.

Lewis says he is under the supervision of the Parkland DOC office.

The sheriff's office says Clemmons was recently arrested and charged in Pierce County with child rape and assault on a police officer.

[Jana]

"A convicted felon granted clemency nine years ago by former Arkansas Governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is wanted for questioning in the shooting deaths of four police officers in Washington state.

Maurice Clemmons, the man wanted for questioning, has been convicted of five felonies in Arkansas and has been charged with eight felonies in Washington state.

The Seattle Times spoke to the prosecuting attorney in Arkansas who opposed Huckabee's clemency for Clemmons:


"This is the day I've been dreading for a long time," Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for Arkansas' Pulaski County said Sunday night when informed that Clemmons was being sought in connection to the killings...

Clemmons had been in jail in Pierce County for the past several months on a pending charge of second-degree rape of a child.


Huckabee has released a statement regarding Sunday's attack. He does not directly address his decision to grant Clemmons (click here to read Huckabee's statement in its entirety).:


Should [Clemmons] be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State. He was recommended for and received a commutation of his original sentence from 1990, making him parole eligible and was paroled by the parole board once they determined he met the conditions at that time. He was arrested later for parole violation and taken back to prison to serve his full term, but prosecutors dropped the charges that would have held him... Our thoughts and prayers are and should be with the families of those honorable, brave, and heroic police officers.

An undated story from the Arkansas Leader provides more details on Clemmons' criminal history in Arkansas.The Arkansas Leader:


Maurice Clemmons received a 35-year sentence in the early 1990s for armed robbery and theft. His sentence was commuted in May 2000, and he was let out three months later.


The following March, Clemmons committed two armed robberies and other crimes and was sentenced to 10 years. You'd think they'd keep him locked up after that, but no: He was paroled last March and is now wanted for aggravated robbery.

If Huckabee decides to set these criminals free, Jegley says, at least "he ought to give an accounting. I can't imagine why in the world they'd want them released from jail. There's a good reason we're afraid of them. The sad truth is that a significant number of people re-offend."


Story continues below

Huckabee, who served as governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007, has a history of supporting pardons and commuting sentences of violent offenders. According to ABC News, Huckabee granted pardons and commutations to approximately 12 convicted murderers.

A study by the Arkansas Leader showed that between 1996 and 2004, Huckabee helped to free more Arkansas prisoners than were freed from all of Arkansas' six neighboring states--combined.

In 2004, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette concluded that "9 percent of the prisoners who benefited from Huckabee's clemencies ended up in prison again."

Huckabee's pardons and commuted sentences as governor earned him extra attention during his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2008 presidential race. In 2007, Huffington Post published documents that contradicted Huckabee's story about the release of convicted serial-rapist Wayne Dumond in 1999. After Dumond was released from prison, he raped and murdered a 39-year-old woman and allegedly raped and murdered a pregnant 23-year-old woman before he was arrested and returned to prison.

While on the campaign trail, Huckabee has claimed that he supported the 1999 release of Wayne Dumond because, at the time, he had no good reason to believe that the man represented a further threat to the public. Thanks to Huckabee's intervention, conducted in concert with a right-wing tabloid campaign on Dumond's behalf, Dumond was let out of prison 25 years before his sentence would have ended.

"There's nothing any of us could ever do," Huckabee said... "None of us could've predicted what [Dumond] could've done when he got out."


But the confidential files show that Huckabee was provided letters from several women who had been sexually assaulted by Dumond and who indeed predicted that he would rape again - and perhaps murder - if released.


[Click here to read more Huffington Post campaign coverage of Huckabee's pardons]

In 2007, ABC News reported on the role that Huckabee's religious beliefs may have played in his decisions to support early release of so many prisoners:

"None of the prosecutors were ever told why Huckabee felt compelled to have a hand in freeing so many prisoners, though all of them speculate that his deeply religious nature led to a strong belief in repentance and forgiveness. In some cases, prosecutors say, evangelical leaders attested that a prisoner had found Jesus and that seemed to influence the governor's thoughts."

[T-Bone]

It's interesting to see this guys RAP SHEET and then wonder why the fuck he was still wandering the streets? A 95 YEAR sentence cummuted by an Arkansas governor who is expected to run for prezzie in 2012? I have a feeling that this incident will taint that election if it happens

[Playitloudforme]

Seattle police thought they had him this morning (and it's a full arrest warrant out now btw). They thought he was cornered in a house, and shot, possibly dead of his wounds.

Search of the house ended up empty. Guy is STILL out there, and... in the Leschi district, which is RIGHT across the water from here (Mercer Island).

Joys.

[steveo777]

My guess is that they won't take him alive. I'd be for vigilante justice in this case. This POS should not have been on the streets and someone needs to be held accountable for this! He was just released on bond for raping a child, just prior to this incident!

[Ehwmatt]

Save the judicial and prison system valuable time and money... just put this guy in his handcuffs in the Seattle cops' favorite happy hour joint a few hours after the last shift has ended and let them have their way.

[Playitloudforme]

My guess is that they won't take him alive. I'd be for vigilante justice in this case. This POS should not have been on the streets and someone needs to be held accountable for this! He was just released on bond for raping a child, just prior to this incident!

That's the part I'll NEVER understand. How can there be BOND available for anyone who is accused of rape, especially child rape??????????????????????????

Gaaaah!