A First-Person Account of the Police Shooting in Tacoma, Washington

NPR has reported that on Sunday, November 29, four Pierce County police officers were killed during a shooting in Lakewood, Washington. The officers were three men and a woman who were said to have been wearing bulletproof vests. Officials reported that the crime was not a robbery and appears not to have been random. The officers were visiting a coffee shop to go over some paperwork shortly before their shift was to start. It is reported that at about 8:15 a.m. PST, a gunman entered the shop and blatantly opened fire. Police believe that the gunman targeted the officers because guests and staff members of the shop were not targeted. Although, there was only one gunman, police may be looking for another person who was involved. The gunman is described as a scruffy-looking black man in his 20s or 30s, and it is reported that he fled on foot. Police are hoping that someone from the public has information about the alleged shooter or knows something that could help their investigation.

Unfortunately, I was much closer to this crime than I would have liked to have been. I live on the other side of the country but am visiting family near where the crime occurred. I was having breakfast with my family when we turned on the television and saw what was unfolding. Even though, I have never visited the coffee shop where the crime occurred, some of my family members have. Things are quite hectic here in Pierce County and it is quite comparable to the police shooting that happened in Pittsburgh in April 2009.

Since the alleged gunman is still at large, people are very uneasy about going out. Neighbors are connecting with each other and updating one another about the latest details and people are definitely changing their routines. We had planned on going shopping today, but ended up staying in to watch the latest coverage, for safety reasons and to remember those who lost their lives. It is always unfortunate when police officers are targeted during any crime, especially since they put their lives on the line for us every day. No one can figure out what the motive for this crime could possibly be and the entire community is in shock. We are all just asking each other "Why?" and "How?" as more details unfold as time passes.

Everyone here just wishes that there is something that they could do. Something that would reverse this horrible crime and bring back the officers that everyone will miss dearly. This crime has taken away the entire community's sense of well-being. It is a stark reminder that mankind is not as "good" as we have always hoped.

For the time being, people are avoiding public places when possible because they fear for their safety. I wonder if even more panic will set in if the at large criminal is not located by the start of tomorrow. However, what is most important is that we remember the lives that were lost and think about what we can do to prevent another tragedy such as this in the future.

Source: NPR; 4 Police Officers Killed in Washington Ambush; Associated Press
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120928688&ft=1&f=1003