Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle
By MANUEL VALDES,Associated Press Writer -
Tuesday, December 1
Send
IM Story
Print
SEATTLE – A heavily armed SWAT team stormed a Seattle home Monday where they thought they had cornered the suspect in the slaying of four police officers at a coffee shop, only to find out that he was not in the house and still on the loose.
The discovery added new urgency to the manhunt for Maurice Clemmons as police canvassed the neighborhood with search dogs and hundreds of officers were deployed around Seattle for any sign of the suspect. Authorities put up a $125,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Police had been positioned overnight at a Seattle home where they thought Clemmons was holed up and spent hours trying to communicate with him, using loudspeakers, explosions and even a robot sent into the house. But when the SWAT team went inside, he was nowhere to be found.
Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said the location of Clemmons was not known, and it's possible he still could be in the neighborhood. Troyer also said people who know Clemmons told investigators he had been shot in the torso in his bloody struggle with the officers.
"If he didn't get a ride out of there, he could still be in the area," Troyer said.
Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel said there was evidence Clemmons at one point was on the property, but officers could not determine whether he was in the house itself. Kappel would not describe what the evidence was, but said it was a "good tip" that led them to the home.
Meanwhile, University of Washington officials alerted students by e-mail and text messages to an unconfirmed report that Clemmons might have gotten off a bus on or near the campus about 3 miles north of the residence, university police Cmdr. Jerome Solomon said. Police were checking the area, he said.
At one point, what sounded like gunshots rang through the neighborhood, but Kappel said no shots were fired.
Troyer said warrants for first-degree murder have been issued against Clemmons in the killings of the officers from the Tacoma suburb of Lakewood who were gunned down in a coffee shop on Sunday morning at the start of their shifts.
Clemmons has a long criminal history, including a long prison sentence commuted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee nearly a decade ago, and a recent arrest for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Washington.
Authorities allege he killed Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and officers Ronald Owens, 37, Tina Griswold, 40, and Greg Richards, 42, as they worked on their laptop computers at the beginning of their shifts.
Clemmons is believed to have been in the area of the coffee shop around the time of the shooting, but Troyer declined to say what evidence might link him to the shooting.
Investigators say they know of no reason four gunning down the officers, but court documents indicate Clemmons is delusional and mentally unstable.
"We're going to be surprised if there is a motive worth mentioning," said Troyer, who sketched out a scene of controlled and deliberate carnage that spared the employees and other customers at the coffee shop in suburban Parkland, about 35 miles south of Seattle.
"He was very versed with the weapon," Troyer said. "This wasn't something where the windows were shot up and there bullets sprayed around the place. The bullets hit their targets."
Officer Richards' sister-in-law, Melanie Burwell, called the shooting "senseless."
"He didn't have a mean bone in his body," she said. "If there were more people in the world like Greg, things like this wouldn't happen.
Clemmons has an extensive violent criminal history from Arkansas. He was also recently charged in Washington state with assaulting a police officer, and second-degree rape of a child. Using a bail bondsman, he posted $150,000 _ only $15,000 of his own money _ and was released from jail last week.
Documents related to the pending charges in Washington state indicate a volatile personality. In one instance, he is accused of punching a sheriff's deputy in the face, The Seattle Times reported. In another, he is accused of gathering his wife and young relatives and forcing them to undress, according to a Pierce County sheriff's report.
"The whole time Clemmons kept saying things like trust him, the world is going to end soon, and that he was Jesus," the report said.
Troyer said investigators believe two of the officers were killed while sitting in the shop, and a third was shot dead after standing up. The fourth apparently "gave up a good fight."
"We believe there was a struggle, a commotion, a fight ... that he fought the guy all the way out the door," Troyer said.
In 1989, Clemmons, then 17, was convicted in Little Rock for aggravated robbery. He was paroled in 2000 after Huckabee commuted a 95-year prison sentence.
Huckabee, who was criticized during his run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 for granting many clemencies and commutations, cited Clemmons' youth. Clemmons later violated his parole, was returned to prison and released in 2004.
On Sunday, Huckabee issued this statement on his Web site: "Should he be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington state."
It was the second deadly ambush of police in the Seattle area in recent weeks, but the two cases aren't related.
Authorities say a man killed a Seattle police officer on Halloween night and also firebombed four police vehicles in October as part of a "one-man war" against law enforcement. Christopher Monfort, 41, was arrested after being wounded in a firefight with police days after the Seattle shooting.
The officers killed Sunday had received no threats, Troyer said.
"We won't know if it's a copycat effect or what it was until we get the case solved," he said.
___
Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Gene Johnson in Seattle, Rachel La Corte in Tacoma, George Tibbits in Seattle, Jill Zeman Bleed in Little Rock, Ark., and photographers Elaine Thompson in Seattle and Ted S. Warren in Parkland.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Russian train toll hits 26; Police release sketch AP - 1 hour 57 minutes ago
US: Honduras' election important but not last step AP - 2 hours 1 minute ago
Court allows retrial for Pa. man left paraplegic AP - 2 hours 2 minutes ago
Obama facing tough selling job on Afghan policy AP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago
US envoy to UN slams Iran enrichment plan AP - 2 hours 6 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets plunge on debt woes
WHO changes HIV treatment advice
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
UAE acts to shore up banking system and calm markets
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
UAE acts to shore up banking system and calm markets
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets plunge on debt woes
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
Wall Street braces for Dubai debt fallout, jobs data
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
Gatecrashers met Obama, Secret Service 'embarrassed'
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 1 December 2009 Mysterious 'Saddam Channel' drops off Iraqi TV
Nokia plans one Linux phone next year: source
Iraqi civilian deaths drop to lowest level of war
Obama orders Afghan strategy into force
Death toll in Russia train blast rises to 26
UK to send 500 extra troops to Afghanistan
| International
|
Online retailers pin hopes on 'Cyber Monday'
Hezbollah cuts Islamist rhetoric in new manifesto
| International
|
EBay fined by Paris court over LVMH sales
Hamas: Gaps remain over prisoner swap with Israel
French court fines eBay for perfume sales
Israel says enforcing West Bank settlement moratorium
Swiss minaret ban may signal new right-wing surge
| International
|
British yacht crew of five detained in Iran
| International
|
Somali pirates seize Greek tanker near Seychelles
| International
|
Venezuela closes four banks after Chavez warning
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Nokia plans one Linux phone next year: source
Ensign adds Reid race to reasons for staying on
Amazon says Kindle sales hit monthly record in Nov
| Technology
|
Man charged with capital murder in 3 Kan. deaths
NATO: body of second missing US paratrooper found
EBay fined by Paris court over LVMH sales
| Technology
|
Uzbek power grid withdrawal set to cause shortages
US envoy urges Okinawa base issue resolved soon
Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle
6 Afghan national police killed by fellow officer
Court takes on fraud lawsuit vs. Australian bank
China to try 58 accused of covering up mine deaths
Court hears Vioxx lawsuit arguments
China to try 58 who covered up mine accident
Motorized bar stool from Ohio DUI being auctioned
Police accused of abuse in Indonesia's Papua
Texas inmate escapes while being transferred
Family: Minn. pilot injured in China plane crash
Bangladesh ferry death toll rises to 77
U.S. Senate to begin debate on healthcare overhaul
US Senate to kick off historic health care debate
Elizabeth Kennedy named AP bureau chief in Beirut
Chinese minister: We aren't manipulating currency
Mahindra and BAE to form new India defense company
Japan central bank chief says country in deflation
Disney reviewing options on Oprah replacement
Disney in no hurry on Oprah decision
Beauty queen's woes reflect HIV stigma in Russia
Japan manga fans flock to cartoonist's funeral
Disney reviewing options on Oprah replacement
| Entertainment
|
Kava the drink of choice in laid-back Pacific
Bordeaux banks on biodiversity
Polanski release could take more time: French envoy
| Entertainment
|
Changing times give Jerusalem market new, old flavour
Disney reviewing live shows after Lambert
| Entertainment
|
French maestro Pretre to conduct Vienna's New Year's Concert
Mexican author Pacheco receives top Spanish literary prize
Polanski release could take more time: French envoy
Obama orders Afghan strategy into force
EU president takes office as Lisbon Treaty enters force
South Korea knocks down rumor North leader dead
| International
|
EU extends visa-free travel to Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro
US-TECH Summary
Trade ministers disagree on WTO Doha talks
Iran enrichment plans largely bluster, experts say
Switzerland under fire over minaret ban
Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets plunge on debt woes
China says talks best way to solve Iran nuclear issue
| International
|
Hamas: Gaps remain over prisoner swap with Israel
Sirius XM CEO says holiday sales on target
Dubai World to restructure parts of group including Nakheel
Defiant Iran slams IAEA amid Western censure
Suspected Darfur kidnappers threaten to kill French workers
Judge aims to bar first Latin America gay wedding
| International
|
2009: the Year of Twitter
U.S. blasts Sudan over Darfur peacekeeper harassment
Kenya ivory seizure 'reflects poaching rise'
Iran sends mixed signals on quitting NPT
Algerian Guantanamo detainee transferred to France
| International
|
Italy's Berlusconi visit ends Belarus isolation
Amazon says Kindle sales hit monthly record in Nov
British yacht crew of five detained in Iran
| International
|
Early intervention aids children with autism: study
HIV-infected Chinese children struggle with stigma
| International
|
Time running out on Doha accord: WTO chief
WHO changes HIV treatment advice
Jackson bumps Spears from atop Yahoo '09 searches
| Technology
|
Sirius XM CEO says holiday sales on target
| Technology
|
Australian opposition change jolts climate debate
US transfers two Tunisian Guantanamo men to Italy
Kennedy touts health care reform, sidesteps flap
Forest Service eyes night flying against fires
Competency hearing begins in Elizabeth Smart case
4th-generation southern white rhino born in Ohio
Man who aided Detroit corruption probe gets prison
Obama sets new Afghan strategy, briefs allies
Pentagon official corresponded with WH crashers
U.S. Senate opens work on healthcare bill
S.Korea to keep accommodative policy -officials
Tiger Woods withdraws from tournament, not talking
| Entertainment
|
Alec Baldwin says lost interest in acting, will soon quit
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares flat after early volatility
U.S. war drama wins top film at Gotham awards
| Entertainment
|
Hard-working Springsteen exactly where I want to be
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan Cement unit to buy HK firm for $516 mln
Korea Hot Stocks
Kelsey Grammer to make Broadway musical debut
| Entertainment
|
Norah Jones announces spring tour
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares open lower as caution persists
Chelsea Clinton to wed long-time boyfriend
| Entertainment
|
Strokes returning to the stage in 2010
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hard-working Springsteen "exactly where I want to be"
US author Littell wins Bad Sex in fiction prize
Kelsey Grammer to make Broadway musical debut
Strokes returning to the stage in 2010
Judge puts Latin America's first gay marriage on hold
`New Moon' keeps shining with $42.9M weekend
Broadway shows returning to New Orleans
Chelsea Clinton to wed long-time boyfriend
Clinton daughter, Chelsea, engaged to be married
Iran says may take serious action against Britons
| International
|
Suicide bomber kills Pakistan parliamentarian
| International
|
Iran says to protest over IAEA nuclear resolution
| International
|
Philippines files murder charges for massacre
| International
|
Charges spelled out against Nazi guard Demjanjuk
| International
|
Israeli settlers block government inspectors
| International
|
India tightens security at nuclear facilities
| International
|
Nostalgia, hope as Baghdad's passenger boats return
| International
|
Bethlehem traders still waiting for Christmas cheer
| International
|
Nokia files suits against display, monitor makers
| Technology
|
Obama facing tough selling job on Afghan policy
Black Friday shoppers tweet, friend and clip
| Technology
|
Emotions high, Senate opens partisan health debate
House panel sets hearing on White House breach
Black Friday Web shopping up 11 percent: comScore
| Technology
|
Swiss won't release Roman Polanski before Friday
| Entertainment
|
Supreme Court Stops Release Of Detainee Photos
First Would-Be White Mayor In Decades, Establishment Candidate Face Off In Atlanta Run-off
Suspect In Police Execution Shot Dead Ending Two-Day Manhunt
New Form Of Lethal Injection Introduced In Ohio
Obama To Announce Afghan Strategy In Primetime Address From West Point
President Obama Calls Indian Premier, Discusses Afghanistan And Climate Change
Major Top-Level Changes In The U.S. National Intelligence Setup
Modification Mortgage Conversion Drive Gets The Administration Push
Burglar: 'Obama Let Me In'
Texas Police Hunt Escaped, Armed Child Molester
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights