One thing about this seems odd: I agree with other posters here that the police officers probably could not have drawn down or returned fire because they were seated at a table; but also, almost EVERY police/sheriff officer in the country are issued bullet proof vests, specifically designed to STOP handgun fire at even close range. I would assume these officers had very dependable, high quality vesting that conceivably should have protected them. So how does an assassin kill four police officers with only a handgun before they can even have a chance to shot back?
As ugly as it sounds, I fear these officers lost their lives because the assailant KNEW to go for head shots; making this entire tragedy sound very much like a PLANNED HIT by someone who knew EXACTLY what to do, had TRAINED to do it, and was able to keep EXTREME focus in their actions. Correct me if I am wrong fellow Freepers, but don’t most inter city gang thugs practice the “spray and pray “ approach to target acquisition? What happened in Tacoma this morning sounds more like the way drug cartels in Mexico target police. It seems we are perhaps dealing with someone here who was very pre-meditated, knowledgeable and para-military in their ability. GHASTLY....
Police just announced that the perp may have been shot during the ambush. At least one officer fired rounds. Police are asking public to be on lookout for a wounded person.
Police said 2 officers had no chance to react. A third officer fought briefly but was killed. The 4th officer fought the perp all the way out the front door and may have wounded him.
That’s what I was thinking too. On the radio they said the officers were all wearing bulletproof vests. That sounds like the perp went for head shots, which does bespeak training.