Four Police Officers Ambushed and Killed Near Parkland Washington

On November 29th 2009, according to a report by the Tacoma News Tribune, four Tacoma/Lakewood police officers were sitting at Forza, near McCord Air Force Base (112th & Steele St.), before their shift going over pre-shift paperwork. The perpetrator ambushed the police officers. No customers or staff of Forza were harmed. The killer opened fire on the police officers using a handgun killing all four police officers and then made his escape on foot.

The area became blocked off for the search, investigation, and safety of others. Police officers from all over the area responded to the scene. The King County helicopter Guardian One was circling the area looking for the ambusher and killer.

Most other information was not released in order to aid police in their search, and to protect and respect the privacy of the victims and their families. Our thoughts are with you.

My Story Concerning the Tacoma Police Ambush and Killing

I found out about this tragic ambush and killing while babysitting. The mother works for the Law Enforcement system and came home early with tears in her eyes. She was shaken but even more than that she was angry. I think that her daughter put it the best, "How could this happen?"

Given that I live somewhat near where the shooting occurred, she told me she wasn't sure she could take me the whole way home. Given that seven hours had passed since the ambush and shooting, some of the road blocks had been removed and I was able to make it home safely.

I was so angry, sad, and upset that I knew that I needed to write about it. I felt supported when I saw that this story has already been picked up and that it is being responded to all over the country. While I can't release information that I've been privileged to receive I am confident that the killer will be found and brought to justice.

Parkland, where I have gone to school for several years, and Tacoma at large, has always had a bad reputation for crime. What disturbs me most was that this killer seemed to have no real motive other than to kill them. His goal was not to rob the place, hold people hostage, or get back at someone. His goal was to kill police officers. Even my anarchist friends don't want people to die they just want the system to be reformed.

Since I found out about the ambush and killing I've been a bit on edge. I'm taking some time to isolate and mourn those who have died. While I should always lock my door living in Parkland, I'm going to make a special point of doing so this evening. I will be supporting friends and family as they go through their own emotional roller coaster.

I have been hearing a lot about law enforcement in Pierce County because of my babysitting job. I'm even going to be applying for a Communications Officer position. What I have noticed is that when something like this happens, it hurts everyone. When you are hurt you have two choices. You can give up or you can fight harder. The police officers of Tacoma/Lakewood are not going to give up, they are going to fight harder.

Yes killings like this hurt the community and the families involved but those who would do this need to know, you will be found, and then you will be powerless. If you are upset and disenfranchised, taking power from others will not help you. It may be an initial rush but in the end hurting and killing others, especially police officers, will result in being completely powerless. You will lose your freedom, the respect of those who know you, and in the end you will only make that police state stronger. I predict that more funds will be allocated to law enforcement in the future.

If you would seek violence to solve your problems you will never solve your problems, they will get bigger and bigger. Educate yourself, register to vote, campaign for legislation you believe in, these actions can cause meaningful change that you actually want.

Stacey Mulick, Suspect Description in Multiple Police Shooting near Parkland, Tacoma News Tribune