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Tacoma Police Officer Shot, Killed While Responding To Domestic Violence Call – Standoff Underway

By Angelica N. Sumter
Published on: 20:21 PST, Nov 30, 2016

Update 2:02 p.m. EST: The hours-long standoff came to an end when the 38-year-old Tacoma police shooting suspect was shot and killed by a Pierce County deputy at around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to CBS News.

A Tacoma police officer was shot and killed Wednesday night while responding to a domestic violence call and a police standoff has been ongoing since 5:30 p.m., reported KOMO News.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 30, a 45-year-old Tacoma police officer – whose identity is being withheld – and his partner responded to a domestic violence call at a three-story home in the 400 block of East 52nd Street.

Authorities say the officers knocked on the front door after finding a woman locked outside, claiming that her husband wouldn’t open the door after an argument ensued. Moments after authorities say the officers called for backup, saying “shots fired” over the radio.

As responding officers made their way to the shooting, it was reported that they were able to enter the home unscathed – that’s when it was discovered that an officer had been shot.

Following the Tacoma police shooting, the officer was immediately transported to Tacoma General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

However, the Tacoma police officer dies from injuries at 9:13 p.m.

Loretta Cool, who is a spokesperson for the Tacoma Police Department, stated that “we’ve suffered a great loss and I think the community has suffered a great loss. I don’t know how to put that into words. And I don’t know how to put that into words other than to say that everyone here appreciates the kind thoughts and the prayers that are going out to us.”

“Remember that we still have a job to do, we are still on the scene and we are doing our best to not have anyone else injured or harmed tonight in any way.”

“We all will take our time when it’s appropriate to grieve and to share our thoughts and feelings on our friend,” Cool continued. “Everyone in our police department knows everyone and yes everybody will feel it.”

When the body of the slain Tacoma police officer were to be transported to the county medical examiner’s office, hundreds of officers waited at attention outside as the body, which was “draped with a flag,” was taken from the hospital and placed into an ambulance.

Dozens of police motorcycles and cars from various police departments followed the ambulance as it transported the officer’s body to the medical examiner’s officer after the shooting in Tacoma occurred.

Tacoma police officials say the gunman is not in custody and may have barricaded himself inside the home and it is believed that the standoff is ongoing as of 11:16 p.m., according to the latest updates in the Tacoma shooting at the WSB Radio.

Circumstances that led up to the shooting in Tacoma where the police officer was killed in the line of duty has yet to be determined and it is also unknown if officers fired back, but authorities have stated that there were several people in the home during the incident, including two young children.

Kristi Croskey, who rented the home to the shooting suspect and his wife, was in the home during the shooting in Tacoma but was able to escape without any injuries. She said, “I do not want to hear anything about the police officers being inhumane and shooting people unnecessary or any of those things.”

“I want to say the Tacoma Police Department handled this matter with such professionalism despite their own being shot. And I want to say this situation did not have to occur.”

In a statement, Gov. Jay Inslee stated: “Trudi and I send our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of the Tacoma police officer killed tonight in the line of duty. All of Washington grieves with Tacoma, which tonight lost one of their finest.”

“Our hearts are with the men and women of the Tacoma Police Department, their families, and their brothers and sisters in law enforcement across Washington.”

“In times of crisis” such as the Tacoma police shooting, the statement continued. “We see the service and resolve of law enforcement as they run towards the danger. Tonight an officer was taken from us while serving his community, and it is a reminder of the sacrifice that these men and women across our state and nation make every day.”

“We don’t have all the answers from tonight’s shooting, and the crime scene is still active. I urge everyone in the area to follow law enforcement’s directions during this ongoing incident.”

This is a developing story. Check back for more details into the Tacoma police shooting.

[Featured Image By aijohn784/iStock]

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