Officer killed, trainee hurt in Seattle shooting

Discussion

November 2, 2009

Anonymous The Herald Bulletin Mon Nov 02, 2009, 12:42 AM EST

SEATTLE (AP) — Few clues have emerged from a drive-by shooting that left a nine-year veteran Seattle police officer dead and a trainee injured on Halloween night.

Investigators on Sunday fielded tips, interviewed potential witnesses and scoured through video tapes for evidence that would lead them to the assailant or assailants. They have not yet identified a suspect or the suspect's vehicle, nor have they determined what kind of weapon was used.

Killed in the Saturday night shooting was field training officer Timothy Brenton, 39. Rookie officer Britt Sweeney, 33, suffered a minor injury.

The two were discussing a routine traffic stop while parked in downtown Seattle when their police cruiser was suddenly struck several times by gunfire shortly after 10 p.m., officials said.

Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel said Brenton died instantly. Sweeney ducked, and a bullet grazed her back. She then called for help and returned fire, Pugel said.

"This is an assassination, and every resource is being used to bring it to a conclusion," Pugel said.

Brenton became the city's first officer killed in the line of duty since 2006, and Saturday's shooting was the first intentional homicide of an officer since 1994, police officials said.

Pugel said there had been no threats against Brenton and no indication the assailants were looking for him.

Sweeney was taken to the hospital but was later released and is at home. She joined the force about six months ago, and had graduated from the academy just weeks ago.

Brenton is survived by his wife and two children, ages 11 and 8, officials said. His father and uncle are retired Seattle police officers.

"Everybody loved him," the officer's uncle, Jon Brenton of Kingston, Wash., told The Seattle Times. "I don't think there was any reason anybody would come after him."

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels described the shooting as "cold-blooded."

"Our community is in shock at this brutal and senseless crime," Nickels said. "The killing of someone who protects our public safety is universally condemned, and our city is united in rejecting this violence and supporting the men and women in uniform. "

In August 2006, rookie officer Joselito Barber was killed when a woman drove her sport utility vehicle through a red light and broadsided his patrol car.

In 1994, officer Antonio Terry was shot and killed after stopping behind a disabled vehicle, according to the Seattle Police Officers' Guild.

___

On the Net:

Seattle Police Department: http://spdblotter.seattle.gov

Text Only

National News

U.S. stocks fall as Greek bailout debate winds on
Stocks are falling on Wall Street in midday trading Tuesday, weighed down by continuing economic struggles in Europe.

February 14, 2012
Judge: Sandusky can have local jury, see grandkids
A judge rejected requests by prosecutors that jurors be brought in from outside the State College area to hear the child sex-abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

February 14, 2012
Funeral for Whitney Houston set for Saturday in New Jersey
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.

February 14, 2012
House GOP have backup on payroll tax
In an abrupt about-face, House GOP leaders announced Monday that they are willing to extend the two percentage point cut in the payroll tax through the end of the year and add the approximately $100 billion cost to the nation's $15 trillion-plus debt.

February 13, 2012
Martinsville hoops coach accused of indecency
A top Indiana boys' basketball coach faces a misdemeanor public indecency charge after Indianapolis police say an officer found him in "a state of nudity" in his car in the company of a teenage girl.

February 13, 2012
NJ Senate OKs gay marriage bill in milestone vote
In a move that supporters called a civil rights milestone, New Jersey's state Senate on Monday passed a bill to recognize same-sex marriages, marking the first time state lawmakers officially endorsed the idea — despite the promise of a veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

February 13, 2012
AT&T customers surprised by 'unlimited data' limit
Mike Trang likes to use his iPhone 4 as a GPS device, helping him get around in his job. Now and then, his younger cousins get ahold of it, and play some YouTube videos and games.

But in the past few weeks, there has been none of that, because AT&T Inc. put a virtual wheel clamp on his phone. Web pages wouldn't load and maps wouldn't render. Forget about YouTube videos — Trang's data speeds were reduced to dial-up levels

February 13, 2012
Obama sends FY2013 budget proposals to Congress
President Barack Obama unveiled a $3.8 trillion spending plan on Monday for 2013 that seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade but does little to restrain growth in the government's huge health benefit programs, a major cause of future deficits.

February 13, 2012
Trial of Midwest militia members begins in Michigan
Prosecutors are preparing to make their opening statements in the trial of seven members of a Midwest militia accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

February 13, 2012
U.S. stocks gain following latest Greek debt deal
U.S. stocks opened higher Monday after Greece's parliament voted over the weekend for spending cuts aimed at saving the country from bankruptcy.

February 13, 2012
More National News Headlines

National News

Search Results

Discussion

Officer killed, trainee hurt in Seattle shooting

Site Map

Contact Us