Dinah Lord: WA: 4 police officers shot dead in ambush.

Latest updates can be found here.

Update - 8:25 pm MST: Lord have mercy. Scroll down and start at the beginning of the original post to get an idea of how this has all unfolded. It's been a fast breaking story and a long day.

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

Clemmons' criminal history includes at least five felony convictions in Arkansas and at least eight felony charges in Washington. The record also stands out for the number of times he has been released from custody despite questions about the danger he posed. Clemmons had been in jail in Pierce County for the past several months on a pending charge of second-degree rape of a child.

He was released from custody just six days ago, even though he was wanted on a fugitive warrant out of Arkansas and was staring at seven additional felony charges in Washington state.

Clemmons posted $15,000 with a Chehalis company called Jail Sucks Bail Bonds. The bondsman, in turn, put up $150,000, securing Clemmons' release on the pending child-rape charge.

Clemmons lives in Tacoma, where he has run a landscaping and power-washing business out of his house, according to a police interview with his wife earlier this year. He was married, but the relationship was tumultuous, with accounts of his unpredictable behavior leading to at least two confrontations with police earlier this year.

During the confrontation in May, Clemmons punched a sheriff's deputy in the face, according to court records. As part of that incident, he was charged with seven counts of assault and malicious mischief.

In another instance, Clemmons was accused of gathering his wife and young relatives around at 3 or 4 in the morning and having them all undress. He told them that families need to "be naked for at least 5 minutes on Sunday," a Pierce County sheriff's report says. "The whole time Clemmons kept saying things like trust him, the world is going to end soon, and that he was Jesus," the report says.

As part of the child-rape investigation, the sheriff's office interviewed Clemmons' sister in May. She told them that "Maurice is not in his right mind and did not know how he could react when contacted by Law Enforcement," a sheriff's report says.

"She stated that he was saying that the secret service was coming to get him because he had written a letter to the President. She stated his behavior has become unpredictable and erratic. She suspects he is having a mental breakdown," the report says.

Deputies also interviewed other family members. They reported that Clemmons had been saying he could fly and that he expected President Obama to visit to "confirm that he is Messiah in the flesh."

Prosecutors in Pierce County were sufficiently concerned about Clemmons' mental health that they asked to have him evaluated at Western State Hospital. Earlier this month, on Nov. 6, a psychologist concluded that Clemmons was competent to stand trial on the child-rape and other felony charges, according to court records.

Clemmons moved Washington in 2004, after being released from prison in Arkansas, state Department of Corrections records indicate. That would mean he had gone five years or so before landing in serious trouble with authorities here, according to a review of his criminal record. Clemmons started Sea-Wash Pressure Washing Landscaping with his wife, Nicole Smith, in October 2005. The license for the business expired last month.

Update - 8:15 pm MST: IMO Huckabee can kiss any presidential aspirations good bye.

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.

Update - 8 pm MST: Oh fudge. Looks like we lost our KIRO live feed now, too. You know the drill. I'll be back when I find another live feed - maybe for the late night newscasts.

Update - 7:57 pm MST: More about Clemmons:

Records indicate Clemmons has been a Western Washington resident since 2002, when he moved to Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood before relocating to South Seattle, then to Federal Way before settling in Tacoma. Neighbors described Clemmons as a quiet and paranoid man. They claimed Clemmons has installed cameras all around his home in Tacoma. "About 12 cameras, I think, in the bushes, around the house. Very paranoid," said one neighbor. Neighbors said they knew Clemmons had been in trouble with the law in his past, but they were shocked to discover he was being sought in connection to the deaths of the four Lakewood police officers.

Update - 7:43 pm MST: More about the controversial Arkansas pardon program that let Maurice Clemmons roam free. From the Arkansas Blog:

My source says the man wanted for questioning is believed to be the same Maurice Clemmons as an Arkansas ex-con with an extensive record of armed robbery who became a subject of some controversy for political reasons. That Maurice Clemmons was among those who became controversial for having received a commuted sentence from then-Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2000 (of a 35-year armed robbery sentence), then went on to commit other crimes. This has the potential of making Wayne Dumond look like a small-timer

Here's what Garrick Feldman wrote in the Arkansas Leader of Huckabee clemencies, including action on Maurice Clemmons. Here's one court case I've dug up in which there was testimony about Clemmons' actions seemingly directed at doing harm to the trial judge in one of his criminal cases.

Update - 7:30 pm MST: Meanwhile, back at the SWAT team entry into Maurice Clemmons house - KIRO is reporting that the house is still being searched. About the recovered vehicle - a car associated with Maurice Clemmons has been recovered in the Parkland area - that car has been sought in conjunction with the investigation all day.

Update 7:25 pm MST - The police procession accompanying the fallen officers has begun. Live pics at KIRO. Very somber, dignified and sad.

Update - 7:20 pm MST: The police statement on person of interest, Mark Clemmons (please note correct spelling):

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department has identified a person of interest in the November 29, 2009, murder of four Lakewood Police officers. The person of interest is Maurice Clemmons, a 37 year old black male from the Parkland area of Pierce County. Clemmons is 5'8" tall, 235 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, and a mole on his left cheek. Clemmons has extensive violent criminal history from Arkansas, including aggravated robbery and theft. He has also recently been arrested and charged in Pierce County for Assault 3rd on a Police Officer and for Rape of a Child. Clemmons should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. If the public has any information on his whereabouts, call any tips to the Sheriff's Department tip line at 1-866-977-2362.

KIRO on scene reporter at prayer vigil - there was room for 3000 inside and there's a large crowd outside. The vigil has a personal connection to the victims - many Lakeland PD officers worship there. It's slated to go on for some time. Dress warm and bring a candle should you decide to go. (Slide show here.)

Update - 7:13 pm MST: Holy cow. A SWAT team has entered Maurice Clemens home looking for him and KIRO is live on the scene. A vehicle that was on the scene this morning has been recovered and the vehicle is associated with Maurice Clemens. The search continues room by room. More on the Huckabee pardon: It was a first degree robbery charge and he was pardoned by a controversial pardon program instituted by then Arkansas governor, Huckabee.

Update - 7:10 pm MST: The victims are -

Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar publicly identified the four slain police officers after an extensive and very difficult notification process. "All four of our slain officers had been with this department since it started five years ago. Sergeant Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards were police veterans when they started and all have been outstanding professionals. This is a very difficult time for our families and our officers. The families will have many challenges ahead of them and we ask that their privacy be respected. Please keep our families and Lakewood Police in your prayers."

Hold up - a person of interest has been identified? A Mr. Maurice Clemens (I think)? A 37 year old - has long rap sheet including a conviction for assaulting a police officer and rape of a child in the 2nd degree. He was to have been sentenced as a persistent offender - basically three strikes - you serve life without parole. He was believed to have been at the coffee house. His wife said her husband had been "acting crazy". If you have any information about where Maurice Clemens is call 911. He is armed and dangerous and get this - was pardoned by Governor Huckabee for crimes in Arkansas. Go to the link for the latest. It's breaking fast.

Police have identified a person of interest in the fatal shootings of four Lakewood police officers.

Ed Troyer of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office said they are looking for Maurice Clemens.Troyer said evidence leads police to believe that Clemens was in the area of the shootings. He has a lengthy criminal history.

Update - 6:50 pm MST: Bingo. KIRO has live in depth coverage here. A lot of new information coming in. The police procession is being formed to escort the victims to the Medical Examiner's office. At least one officer will be with each victim at all times as a show of respect. The Forza coffee shops are accepting donations for the victims at each of their coffee shops. 100's and 100's of people at tonight's prayer vigil - says reporter on scene. Dial it in if you can.

Update - 5:54 pm MST: Ruh-roh. Chopper Pilot, News Director could be charged with police interference in Lakewood Cop Killings. (Now, I'm feeling guilty for watching KING 5's excellent live coverage this afternoon. They were all over this story and now they're in trouble!)

Tension between police investigating the fatal shooting of four police officers at a Washington coffee shop and the media attempting to cover the unfolding investigation were evident Sunday afternoon when a police spokesperson announced charges may be filed against a television station for alleged interference.

Ed Troyer, spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, accused the pilot of a television news helicopter and the news director of KING Channel 5 in Seattle for interfering in the fatal shooting investigation of four Lakewood police officers, who were gunned down shortly before their shifts by an unidentified suspect at a coffee shop earlier that morning.

Update - 5:35 pm MST: Until I can find another live feed here is the latest report from Sheriff/Detective/Spokesman Troyer announcing the news that the suspect is believed to be wounded.

Update - 4:55 pm MST: Fiddle dee dee, FReepers. It looks like we're losing KOMO's live coverage, too. (Off to see if I can find another live news feed.)

Update - 4:50 pm MST: Although Detective Troyer has been quick to discount a gang connection to the ambush, there is a history of gang revenge directed at the Lakewood PD:

On July 30, 2009 a Lakewood police officer's personal car was spray painted with gang tags and set on fire, according to the News Tribune. The car was parked at the officer's house and was painted with gang tags, then set on fire about 10:45 p.m. Gang tags were also spray painted on the officer's driveway. The officer was in his home at the time, but no injuries were reported by Lakewood Police. His police car was parked next to his personal car and suffered minor heat damage. The officer had spray painted over gang graffiti in his neighborhood, according to Lakewood Assistant Police Chief Mike Zaro. He did not rule out that it could have been a random act of vandalism after someone spotted a police car parked in the driveway.

Update - 4:40 pm MST - Live on KOMO News Radio: Detective Ed Troyer - Authorities are now looking for someone with a fresh gunshot wound or an injury. Based on investigation they now believe one victim was able to wrestle with the perpetrator and that shots were fired by one of the policeman. There's a possibility the suspect was injured. Surveillance video has been obtained from multiple locations. It is still believed the suspect fled on foot. The crime scene is still being processed. Eyewitnesses are still being interviewed. Their recounting of events is consistent with this scenario. ATF is on scene.

Update 4:35 pm MST: KOMO reporter still on scene - he's describing it as very active. The medical examiner is due to be on scene within the hour - at that time the victims will be removed from the scene. Hundreds of law enforcement agents are in the Parkland area, working together to catch the suspect.

Update - 4:20 pm MST: Toll free tip line 866-977-2362. Locals call Crimestoppers at 253-591-5959. (There is a $10000 reward for information.) The Lakewood Police Guild has established a benevolent fund for the victims families. You can find information here.

Miscellaneous follow up: The suspect taken into custody in Parkland and referenced down thread is related to the earlier 911 prank call - what a dope. I hope they throw the book at him:

Police took a man into custody at a Parkland house nearby after he apparently called 911, claiming to be the shooter. But the man was not linked to the crime, Troyer said.

It's still an active investigation.

At least a dozen officers also have surrounded another nearby house. Three cars were parked in the driveway but there was no indication whether anyone was inside the property.

[...]

Police seized a white pickup parked in a nearby parking lot and took it away on a flatbed truck.

Update: 3:20 pm MST: A vigil for the slain officers will be held this evening at the Champions Centre in Tacoma at 6 pm PST. The public is invited.

Update - 3:07 pm MST: Rats, lost the KING 5 live feed. KOMO radio is providing continuous live coverage and can be found here. Now the search has moved to a nearby public storage facility where another individual has been frisked and cuffed. A heavy police presence is being maintained at the site.

Update - 2:00 pm MST: Interesting to note that the Forza Coffee shop is owned by a retired cop:

The Forza Coffee Shop, part of a popular local chain, is on a side street near McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, about 35 miles south of Seattle. The shop is in a small retail center alongside two restaurants, a cigar store and a nail salon. Brad Carpenter, founder and owner of Forza Coffee, said his staff was OK and being interviewed by police, and that his main concern was with the families of the police officers. "I'm a retired police officer, so this really hits close to home for me," he said.

Update - 1:45 pm MST: Detective Troyer w/ live briefing per KING 5. Law enforcement is still chasing down leads and tracking video from multiple sources. They are keeping an eye on several locations, several vehicles. Detectives remain with the witnesses and customers present in the coffee shop at the time of the shooting. Explorer scouts are doing ground searches. No weapons have been found and a handgun is believed to have been used in the ambush. Lakewood Police chief is currently visiting the families of the victims.

Update - 1:29 pm MST: Per KING 5 - suspect taken in custody at 133rd and C in Parkland (I believe) remains in the back of the police cruiser.

Update - 12:55 pm MST: You can watch live coverage here at King 5. They are reporting someone has been taken in custody in Parkland approx 2 blocks away from where the purported getaway vehicle was found. A police briefing is slated to be held shortly. From the Briefing: Sheriff speaking now. No new information forthcoming. Prank 911 call just came in and caused a law enforcement scramble. Still checking down multiple leads about the getaway vehicle and second suspect.

Update - 12:40 pm MST: Per The Daily Weekly the three male and one female officers were all from the Lakewood Police Dept. The four were in full uniform, wearing bullet-proof vests.

Update - 12:20 pm MST: Tips can be called in to 253-591-5959. Additional details on the suspect:

A black male 20-30 years of age

Medium build, scruffy appearance

Black coat, gray hooded sweatshirt worn under the coat, blue jeans.

Update - 12:10 pm MST: Scruffy looking individual and possible accomplice being sought.

All four were pronounced dead by medics inside Forza Coffee at 11410 Steele Street South, said Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer. "It's carnage out front everywhere," Troyer said, describing the front of the coffee shop. "It's like a bad horror movie, it's horrible."

The names of the officers, all of whom were in uniforms, were not released until relatives are notified.Most of the officers worked for the same agency, Troyer said. But the agencies weren't disclosed. Three of the four officers have been identified and investigators were unsure of the identify of the fourth, Troyer said.

Troyer said police were searching for a black man in his 20s or 30s, between 5-feet-7 inches and 5-feet-10-inches, who fled the scene. The man was wearing a black coat and blue jeans, Troyer said.

A second suspect might have been with the man, Troyer said.

Interesting to note:

Detectives were preparing search warrants for multiple locations, he said.

The shootings come about a month after the killing of Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, who was gunned down while sitting his patrol car Oct. 31.

Original post: WHAT?

From Fox News:

Four police officers were shot dead in an ambush at a Washington state coffee house, a sheriff's official said Sunday. The attack occurred near McChord Air Force Base in Parkland, Wash.

Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer tells Seattle's KOMO-TV that the officers were hit near 116th Street and Steele Street on the east side of the Air Force base at about 8:30 a.m. local time.

The officers were shot at Forza Coffee, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported.

Troyer told The News Tribune in Tacoma that the officers were sitting in the coffee shop with their computers when the shooter came in Sunday morning.

He says investigators believe the officers were targeted, and it was not a robbery.

Troyer tells the newspaper "it was just a flat out ambush."

He could not immediately say what agency the officers were from.