SEATTLE – Police now say the shooting that killed a Seattle police officer late Saturday night was a planned hit. With no word on any arrests or even a suspect, police and the community are on edge.
"We're not safe. Having something like this happen, something like this done to the community, I don't feel safe," said neighbor Gloria Farley.
"I wonder what the state of our country is when this continues to happen like this," says Rick Roney of Seattle. "I just don't understand. I just don't understand."
Detectives are working the neighborhood and neighbors are worried about the person that police are calling an assassin on the loose.
Investigators believe the gunman approached Brenton and rookie officer Britt Sweeney as they sat discussing a traffic stop at 29th Avenue South and East Yesler Way. The gunmen drove close enough to the police cruiser so that Sweeney, who was in the driver's seat, couldn't open her door before ducking down as the gunman opened fire. The killer then backed up, made a three-point turn and headed north up 29th.
Sources in the Seattle Police Department tell KING 5 they believe the driver backed away so that the car could not be captured by the cruiser's dashboard camera.
The bullet grazed Sweeney's back.
Chief John Diaz was emotional when addressing the Seattle City Council Monday, saying the killer apparently picked the pair at random and waited for the perfect time to strike.
"It looks like the individuals watched the stop happen and waited until that person had left and then came up to the vehicle," said Diaz.
Detectives have pulled video cameras from all pertinent police cars and from nearby businesses. Seattle police brass are also planning to deploy SWAT teams to backup their officers up on the streets. They're advising all other agencies in the area to do the same, implying that, until the killer is caught, no cops are safe.
"This terrible murder wasn't even an incident, it wasn't a call. It was 2 human beings sitting in a patrol car doing their job," said Asst. Chief Jim Pugel.
One man was detained by police after making what are described as veiled threats to police officers.
Seattle police are investigating whether the shooting is connected to the Oct. 22 arson of four police vehicles.
Officer Brenton is survived by his wife Lisa, his 11-year-old daughter and his 8-year-old son.
Officer Britt Sweeney is also known for having a gift for working well with people. She was a personal trainer at Denali Fitness before she decided to become a cop.
"She seems to always know what she's doing," says Denali Fitness Owner Michelle Croom. "She's a very steady person. She's a great personal trainer, she knew her clients well and had a good instinct for people."
Her friends believe that instinct, along with her strength and athleticism, may have saved her life Saturday night.
"When I heard the way she reacted and responded, not only was I proud and saddened, but it wasn't shocking to me," says friend Don O'Neil. "Because we all know she's anincredible athlete."
O'Neill is a co-host of KIRO Radio's "Ron and Don Show." He took spin classes from Britt Sweeney when she was an instructor. Today on the air, he encouraged witnesses to come forward, as listeners sounded off on the shooting.
"The person who did this, with the assistance of whoever was driving, is the most evil that you've got," says one listener who called in.
"She left a voice mail today," says O'Neill. "And you can tell that she's shaken up."
The reward for information leading to an arrest and charges is up to $40,000. The police tipline is 206-233-5000 or you can call Crime Stoppers at 206-343-2020.
The memorial service for Officer Timothy Brenton is scheduled for Friday, November 6 at 1 p.m. at the Key Arena.
Cards to the family or Seattle Police Dept. and donations for the family may be sent to:
Family of Officer Timothy Brenton
c/o Seattle Police Department
1519 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-3907
KING 5's Eric Wilkinson and Elisa Hahn contributed to this report.
yogibear said on November 2, 2009 at 7:16 PM
how can some people be so horrible
shortimer said on November 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM
The parties over.
dozer said on November 2, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Assassinate a cop? Fly a plane into the World Trade Center?... Both attack the core of our security... I hope SPD pulls out all the stops and brings this bast**d to justice... Nobody is safe when the bad guys don't hesitate to take out our warriors...
Anonymous said on November 2, 2009 at 11:28 PM
We, the public, need to stand up and be counted in this. If this was planned, somebody out there either knows who did it or, has a BIG clue and may not even know it. So lets stop and think about it. WHO would not only plan this, but DO it? Gangs? Some unknown new type of terrorist? A cop hater? Someone with a grudge? It's one thing to plan killing a cop. But it's an entirely different thing being able to carry it out. So once again, one of "us" saw something, heard something, thought something was odd. Maybe it was a car cruising around an area that looked odd. Maybe someone saw someone taking vidio of cops or patrol cars. So many of us want to help. Well this is our opportunity. SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMETHING . . .think back....we can't bring "closure" but we CAN bring justice.
wishfulthinking said on November 2, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Really a sad reality that our serene NW is becoming more like Chicago and LA everyday. Gangs, terrorists and mobs are all the same breed My sincere condolences to the officers family and friends.
cvn65 said on November 3, 2009 at 6:47 AM
My heart and prayers go out to Officers Brenton and Sweeny and their families. Brenton's wife and children have had their hearts ripped out and Sweeny may have to deal with survivors guilt. But, from what I have read I think they all will make it.. STRING THEM UP BY THERE YOHOOS. If convicted these scumbags deserve the death penalty.
bitemex5 said on November 3, 2009 at 7:05 AM
I hope they show no restaint when they catch this person
truthdector said on November 3, 2009 at 8:11 AM
What is the difference between these cop killers and Obama's good friend the community organizer ACORN radical dude William Ayers the un-repentant domestic terrorist who brags about killing cops with bombs, because he considers them to be defenders of the American system of capitalist pigs... Woe is the White House, these are bad days ahead.
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 8:20 AM
This deeply saddens me. Thank you Officer Brenton for your service and for keeping my family safe. As a police officer in St. Louis I see situations similar to this far too often. As citizens it is your right to demand you have the proper protection needed. Police departments around the country are downsizing due to the economy, limiting the ability for officers to more proactive. Please stand up in support of your local law enforcement so we can take back the streets from these criminals.
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 8:21 AM
bitemex5 - "I hope they show no restraint when they catch this person..." I think that was some of the reason for shooting a cop, because they don't show restraint. How many times could non-lethal means have been used but instead the police tazed, or used a police dog, or shot a person to death with 20 bullets? Or how many times could the cops have just kept driving but instead they chose to stop and harass? Therefore, it becomes a vicious circle. Cops taze and kill youth in the central district, etc., and sooner or later they retaliate. Now the police have a dead officer, so now the youth will be on alert even more because there will be rogue cops out for blood, and forget about taking it to court because 99% of the time police get off. The police are already arming themselves, now with SWAT backup, but what do the youth of Seattle have for protection? Death penalty won't matter, they have friends on the outside that will step up to kill for them.
dr_cooper said on November 3, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Like so many who call "Seattle" our home, I am shocked, saddened, and feel like I need and WANT to do something to help avenge this officer, while also helping to make our community safer. I think one way ALL of us can channel that "need to help" feeling, is to donate ANY amount, even one dollar, to the reward fund. WE can really make a difference here. Think about it. . .if each of us just sent in a dollar, well, you do the math. One thing I do know: For THAT much in reward money, someone IS going to talk. At the sametime, those giving can know that by helping even a little you are a part of making the circle whole. And we need that. What happened is NEW. SHOCKING, and we must do our part to make sure this NEVER happens again. Come on. Call the Seattle Police Officer's Guild. WE CAN CATCH THEM