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Four police officers shot dead at Lakewood coffee shop
komo news ^ | Nov 29, 2009

Posted on 11/29/2009 10:26:10 AM PST by KeyLargo

PARKLAND, Wash. - Four police officers were shot and killed in a Sunday morning ambush at a Parkland-area coffee shop, officials said.

Pierce County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ed Troyer called the ambush "a targeted attack."

Officials at the scene said two gunmen burst into the Forza Coffee Co. outlet at 11401 Steele St. South, shot the four uniformed officers as they were working on their laptop computers, then fled the scene.

Other customers were inside the coffee shop at the time of the attack, but none of them were shot or injured.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the suspects, Troyer said.

Emergency personnel rushed to the scene after receiving a report that multiple officers were shot and killed in the ambush at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, according to reports from the scene.

Within minutes, hundreds of investigators and police were rushing to the scene. Roads were blocked in the vicinity of the attack.

One witness who was driving past said he saw an officer on the ground just after the shootings.

Authorities later closed off the air space over the scene of the shootings.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: banglist; blamehuckabee; huckabee; huckster; killed; lakewood; lakewoodshooting; leo; mauriceclemmons; officerdown; policeofficers; shot; tacoma; washington
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To: KeyLargo

$10,000 is not much of a reward for THAT level of crime! Should be at LEAST $100,000!


81 posted on 11/29/2009 2:50:06 PM PST by 2harddrive
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To: graceisfree

If the gunman had been training to do this, I don’t see anything improbable about it. Remember, the Northwest (Oregon and WA, both, I believe) had all those black Muslim jihadis running around the woods “training” a few years ago. And John Muhammed, who was from WA and “trained” out there, was certainly a pretty good shot.

Surprise is a key element - but I don’t think they’re going to be able to count on it again. I bet police procedures everywhere are going to be significantly changed now.


82 posted on 11/29/2009 3:00:26 PM PST by livius
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To: KeyLargo

That first photo is a really sad one.


83 posted on 11/29/2009 3:01:02 PM PST by livius
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To: TigersEye

Is this a Mujahid hit? We know that area is rife with Muslim suspicious activity.

We predicted this as the net stage of Islamofascist attack here in the USA. The police will be attacked, sometimes in their own police stations as they were in Iraq.Our police are not equipped for such warfare, only the SWAT teams , if a department has them.


84 posted on 11/29/2009 3:45:32 PM PST by Candor7 ((The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA))
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To: livius
"If the gunman had been training to do this, I don’t see anything improbable about it"

When the targets are occupied ( on laptops), - in perceived "safe" environment due to presence of additional officers, - hands occupied,- weapons holstered,- all head shots, targets easily identified, shooter unknown to targets this scenario is and was entirely possible.

Sad to see that four additional names will be added to the memorial.

85 posted on 11/29/2009 3:45:37 PM PST by KeyLargo
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To: livius; MestaMachine; TigersEye

My bet is that this was a mujahid hit. I can see a Meth gang hitting a couple of officers in their cruiser who are getting close to their lab, but this type of attack requires intel , planning and co-ordination which would be unusual to find in your run of the mill Meth gang.This was a commando style attack.That we know. Those who executed it had to be trained, either Mujahid or I shudder to think, ex- military. I opt for Mujahid hit. But is only a guess and I realize I could be wrong.

This area is home to a lot of suspiciuous Muslim activity, according to FReepers who live in the area.

The base camps formerly used for Mujahid training here in the USA are mostly now empty of their former inhabitants who trained in them. They are among us now.


86 posted on 11/29/2009 3:57:57 PM PST by Candor7 ((The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA))
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To: Candor7
This was a commando style attack.

That's a good way of describing it. I think you're right about the mujahid aspect. And I do think we're going to see more of it.

87 posted on 11/29/2009 4:01:41 PM PST by livius
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To: livius; HD1200

Cited in english with reference by the Wikipedia article, Fog of War :

"The great uncertainty of all data in war is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not infrequently — like the effect of a fog or moonshine — gives to things exaggerated dimensions and unnatural appearance."

Looks good, but he doesn't say "the effect of", just, "like [a] fog or moonlight" ... "wie eine Nebel oder Mondscheinbeleuchtung"

88 posted on 11/29/2009 4:02:04 PM PST by dr_lew
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To: livius

I am recruiting you to contribute to this thread as you see fit:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2388394/posts?page=5


89 posted on 11/29/2009 4:05:04 PM PST by Candor7 ((The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA))
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To: livius

Your Lakewood Officers Murdered

This morning a complete coward and threat upon all of society took the lives of four of my Guild members and your sworn protectors in a cold blooded assassination. As I write this I am numb. We were dealt a nasty blow, good men and women I have had the honor of knowing for years are senselessly gone. There is no way to comprehend it, to validate it, or to make sense of any of it. You cannot understand evil like this, as a community we must form a solid bond against criminals and hold them accountable. I know my members and can say with certainty that as a group we will remain professional and will continue to work to protect those of you we have taken an oath to protect. If you know a cop tell them how much you appreciate them, it truly keeps us going.

Please pray for these officers and their families. All of them had significant others and children who are left behind. As a Guild we will do anything we can. If you want to donate to the families our Guild has a benevolent account. Every penny will go to the families; if you want to donate to a specific officer you can write his or her name in the memo section. If the check is made out to LPIG Benevolent Fund at PO Box 99579 Lakewood, WA 98499. I will personally make sure it goes where it is intended. May God bless you four who are in a place so much better than this; you are some of the finest professionals I have ever known. God bless our community today.

Brian D. Wurts, President

Lakewood Police Independent Guild

http://www.lpig.us/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Lakewood20Officers20Slain20by20a20coward


90 posted on 11/29/2009 4:06:01 PM PST by KeyLargo
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To: KeyLargo

if this doesnt scream capital punishment what does???


91 posted on 11/29/2009 4:13:34 PM PST by jefferiesrepublic
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To: livius

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Four uniformed police officers were shot and killed in a bloody Sunday morning ambush at a Lakewood-area coffee shop, officials said.

Investigators now believe the gunman also may have been shot during the cold-blooded attack, as one of the officers returned fire just before he died of his injuries.

Pierce County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ed Troyer called the ambush “a targeted attack” on the four Lakewood police officers as they were preparing to start their shifts at about 8:15 a.m.

Officials at the scene said a lone gunmen burst into the Forza Coffee Co. outlet at 11401 Steele St. South, shot the four uniformed officers as they were working on their laptop computers, then fled the scene.

One of the officers was shot as he attempted to struggle with the gunman, Troyer said. Another officer fired off some shots toward the gunman as he fled, and may have hit him.

“We have reason to believe there were shots fired,” Troyer said. “We hope the suspect was shot, because that would tell us who it is. There aren’t a whole lot of people running around with gunshot wounds.” Two baristas and a handful of other customers were inside the coffee shop at the time of the attack, but none of them were shot or injured. The suspect fled without taking any money.

Troyer described the scene inside the coffee shop as “carnage and a scene out of a horror movie.”

Three male officers and one female officer all died at the scene. “They were just flat executed,” Troyer said.

State Attorney General Rob McKenna termed the shootings an “assassination.”

Troyer said officers were looking for one male suspect who fled the scene and haven’t ruled out an accomplice, possibly a getaway driver.

It wasn’t clear whether the officers even had time to draw their weapons to return fire, Troyer said.

“This was more of an execution. Walk in with the specific mindset to shoot police officers,” Troyer said.

About 2 1/2 hours after the deadly ambush, officers identified a white Chevy pickup truck abandoned at 134th Street and Pacific Avenue South that is believed to be the one that the suspect fled in.

Soon after, there was a standoff reported between officers and one or more people inside a residence a few blocks away, but it turned out to have no connection with the case, police said.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect or any possible accomplices, Troyer said. An emergency tip line has been set up, at 866-977-2362, for callers to report any helpful information.

Troyer encouraged anyone who knows someone with an unexplained gunshot wound to call the tip line.

The suspect was described as a black male in his mid-20s to mid-30s, standing 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, medium build, with scruffy facial hair, wearing blue jeans and a black coat with a hood.

Troyer said the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department initially responded to a 911 call of shots fired at the Forza Coffee Co. outlet at 11401 Steele St. S. in Parkland.

When deputies arrived, they found the four Lakewood police officers shot and killed inside the coffee shop, he said.

“Two baristas and a few customers were inside the coffee shop at the time of the shooting. They were not injured but all are in shock and traumatized. It appears the officers were targeted and ambushed by the suspect,” Troyer said in a statement.

Within minutes of the first 911 call, hundreds of investigators and police were rushing to the scene. Roads were blocked in the vicinity of the attack.

“I’ve never seen so many cops,” said one witness as officers converged on the area.

The coffee shop where the shootings took place is owned by Brad Carpenter, a retired police officer, KOMO News has confirmed.

The incident is being investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, Troyer said.

“There will be a large police presence in Pierce County throughout the day as large numbers of law enforcement follow up on leads and tips,” he said. “The public in urged to stay away from any police activity.”

McKenna said he is turning all the resources of his office toward finding and prosecuting the gunman.

“I have directed all of the criminal justice resources of this office ... be made available to those conducting the investigation into these assassinations,” McKenna said. “Our prosecutors and investigators stand ready to help bring those who committed this murderous act to justice.”

A prayer vigil for the four slain Lakewood police officers is being held at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Champions Centre, a nondenominational Christian church, at 1819 E. 72nd St., in Tacoma with seating for 3,000.

Pastor Sue Kahawaii says the congregation includes Lakewood officers and Pierce County sheriff’s deputies. She says the vigil will include guided prayers and give people a place to express grief.

The deadly shootings come less than a month after Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was shot to death in cold blood as he was sitting in a cruiser with trainee Britt Sweeney on Halloween night. Sweeney was grazed in the neck.

Christopher Monfort of Tukwila has been charged with aggravated first-degree murder in connection with Brenton’s death.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78088192.html

For more coverage of the shootings, go to tacoma.komonews.com.


92 posted on 11/29/2009 4:15:12 PM PST by KeyLargo
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To: Candor7
Until proven otherwise it remains a big possibility. This was not the kind of shooting some jittery tweaker accomplished. He had to be calm and focused and have the judgment to pick his targets in descending order from most likely to react first to the least likely. That would take some serious training or actual experience.

The other possibility is a nut case who bucked astronomical odds.

93 posted on 11/29/2009 4:17:41 PM PST by TigersEye (Sarah Palin 2010 - We Can't Afford To Wait)
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To: livius

Seattle Police / Fire live scanner online:

http://www.komonews.com/news/content/scanner


94 posted on 11/29/2009 4:20:44 PM PST by KeyLargo
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To: livius

I appreciate your comments: points well taken! It just sickens me of what happened...Attempting to piece together in my own mind, what happened I appreciate the thoughts and comments of the other posters regarding the jihadee’s. Time will paint a clearer picture...

and

...it is hard for me to grasp still how the gunmen (solo?), was able to get all four officers without getting shot himself (unknown to me at this time). Also having read others comments, of being in a relatively safe environement, with other officers around, and attention focused on their computers makes sense of how he was able to. (this post I believe brings up an important and valid thought as far as policy changes that may occure):

To: DakotaRed
i read in one of the articles they had computers out and were getting ready for their shift... isn’t that something done at the station before they leave???)
20 posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 1:06:11 PM by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- I AM JIM THOMPSON!)

Most recent update I heard was fourth officer was able to struggle, getting as far as to the door and outside on the ‘porch’ area, either having fired shots off already at gunmen, or firing at fleeing suspect and injuring him, not confirmed as of yet.


95 posted on 11/29/2009 4:27:54 PM PST by graceisfree (...and these Three are One)
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To: dr_lew

“because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not infrequently — like the effect of a fog or moonshine — gives to things exaggerated dimensions and unnatural appearance.””

He writes of planning not the physical activity of a war.

Unexpected and unknown physical attributes of a war are termed FRICTION.

Don’t argue with me; argue with my one son’s USAF & my other son’s Marine books.


96 posted on 11/29/2009 4:36:28 PM PST by HD1200
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To: Glenn

Religon of peace alert.


97 posted on 11/29/2009 4:52:44 PM PST by exnavy (GOD save the republic)
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To: TigersEye

Agreed. Also he know when they would be in the coffee shop, and without their duty edge before they went on shift.

What is it about police officers and doughnuts? I ate a bale of them when I served years ago.Comfort food here ended in horrible tragedy.I feel so sorry about those officers and their families.


98 posted on 11/29/2009 6:00:15 PM PST by Candor7 ((The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA))
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To: sweetiepiezer

I know we are suppose to be politically correct and not “Racist”, but is it only one race that seems to be perpetrating all of these horrific, brutal Murders, Robberies, and Rapes? Statistics on this seem to be non existant in the MSM, yet there was just a Trial in Tennessee where a couple was subjected to most horrific Tortures, amputations, Rapes, Beatings together by a gang of uncivilized Terrorists and finally Murdered and there was NOT a WORD in the MSM!!! If anything was ever a HATE CRIME!!! THAT WAS!!! and NOT ONE WORD!!


99 posted on 11/29/2009 6:53:18 PM PST by True Republican Patriot (May GOD Continue to BLESS Our Great President George W. Bush!!)
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To: Candor7

Even worse this coffee shop was owned by a former LEO so he probably enjoyed providing a comfort station for active LEOs. The sorrow created here, whatever the reason for it was, is tremendous.


100 posted on 11/29/2009 6:56:33 PM PST by TigersEye (Sarah Palin 2010 - We Can't Afford To Wait)
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