Person of interest named in execution of four Tacoma-area police officers

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Police in Lakewood, WA, are now looking for a man named Maurice Clemmons, after four of their officers were gunned down early Sunday morning. The four were sitting at a table inside Forza Coffee in Parkland, when a black male between 25 and 35 years of age came in and opened fire on them.

The shooter entered the coffee shop, walked to the counter as if to place an order, then suddenly turned and blasted the officers.

Apparently, one of the officers was able to return fire, and police believe the suspect may be wounded.

Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters: "There is evidence that a Lakewood Police officer fired off some shots, and we hope that he hit him. If he's hit, that means that he's injured somewhere with a gunshot wound."

The names of the four murdered officers are as follows:

Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, was a 13-year veteran officer. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Officer Ronald Owen, 37, was a 13-year veteran officer. He leaves behind an ex-wife and a daughter.

Officer Tina Griswold, 40, was a 14-year veteran officer. She leaves behind a husband and two children.

Officer Greg Richards, 42, was an 8-year veteran officer. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

All of the officers were in uniform and were obviously targeted by the suspect. It was in fact, an ambush.

Spokesman Ed Troyer said: "They had marked police cars, marked uniforms, there were other people inside the facility, they weren't shot, wounded or hurt or even aimed at, just the police officers were.”

"This was more of an execution. Walk in with the specific mindset to shoot police officers," Troyer added.

Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor told reporters: "The person or people who did this not only harmed us they harmed the good that we can do in the community. They harmed the good that we work to do every day in the community.”

Pastor continued: "This is an example of the cost that is sometimes paid by people who believe in duty and obligation and sacrifice and people who do that on behalf of the community. We've lost people that we care about, we've lost people I'm sure the good people in the community care about as well.”

Maurice Clemmons, 37, has a long and violent criminal history, with convictions for aggravated robbery and theft. He was also recently charged in Pierce County for assault on a police officer as well as for the rape of a child.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Clemmons is asked to call the Tipline at (253) 591-5959 or 866-977-2362.

A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the murders.

A memorial fund has also been set up by the Lakewood Police Independent Guild to assist the families of the fallen officers. Anyone wishing to donate can send a check or money order to the LPIG Benevolent Fund at P.O Box 99579, Lakewood, WA 98499.

 

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