Right Juris

Police are searching for Maurice Clemmons, “Person of Interest” after four Washington Police Officers, shot and killed in a Parkland coffee-shop as they were preparing for their shift, were ambushed and murdered. The four officers, Sergeant Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards all died at the scene.

The officers were all original members of the Lakewood Police Department. Between the four officers nine children were left behind. Read more about this tragic story, see pictures of the fallen officers, and see a video news report below.

Authorities are reporting that the killer may have been wounded by one of the slain officers who was able to fire shots at the suspect before he died. Police Spokesman Ed Troyer stated the following:

“There is evidence that a Lakewood Police officer fired off some shots, and we hope that he hit him,” said Troyer. “If he’s hit, that means that he’s injured somewhere with a gunshot wound.”
Troyer said local hospitals have been contacted in case the suspect seeks medical attention.

Maurice Clemmons has been identified as a “Person of Interest” in the slayings. Clemmons has a lengthy criminal history in Arkansas and was in jail in Washington until approximately six days ago. It is also being reported that Clemmons was sentenced to 95 years behind bars in Arkansas but then governor Mike Huckabee commuted the sentence after nine years.

The Lakewood Police Chief, Chief Bret Farrar, issued the following statement:

“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,”

The suspect walked into the coffee shop and acted as if he were going to order coffee when he then turned and opened fire. Two of the officers were immediately killed while sitting at their table, one officer was killed as they stood up to respond to the attacker and the fourth officer was killed after fighting with the suspect. None of the other patrons at the location were injured, and no one was robbed. It appears that the only motive the suspect had was to kill police officers. The suspect is described as a black male between 25 and 35, rough face and hair, wearing a black coat, jeans

A $10,000 reward has been offered leading to the arrest of the suspect. Searches in the area are being conducted and tracking dogs have been brought to the area in an effort to locate the suspect. The video below is from a local television station:

Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Washington State Police Community during this difficult time. There have now been 8 officers killed in the line of duty in the past 18 months in Washington State. Pictures of these four Washington Police Officers, shot and killed in the line of duty, are above. Maurice Clemmons “Person of Interest” in this case is being sought for questioning by authorities in connection with the shootings. Anyone with information is urged to contact any Washington State police department. Obviously Maurice Clemmons is considered armed and extremely dangerous.