SEATTLE - Police believe they may have a picture of the gunman's car videotaped by a different patrol car's dashboard cam that was rolling during a routine traffic stop.
They think it's a possible match because it fits the description given by the trainee who survived the shooting and because of the way the car was behaving while driving by the patrol car.
The image is not a good one, but police are hoping it may be a good break.
Police are also investigating a backpack found in downtown Seattle that contained the names of officers, the shifts they work, and when they come and go.
The Seattle Police Department is now offering a $105,000 reward in the manhunt for whoever gunned down Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton Saturday night.
One anonymous donor is pledging $10,000 to the cause. While that is comforting, tensions are still high among Seattle Police.
They say finding Brenton's killer is their number one priority right now. And not having a suspect in custody yet is extremely difficult for their young and mourning department.
"For a lot of our officers, this is the first time they've had to deal with one of their own being killed in the line of duty like this," said Asst. Chief Nick Metz.
As a community mourns the murder of a person dedicated to protecting them, Seattle Police are hoping donated electronic billboards will help shake loose important tips about who killed Officer Brenton.
They admit it's unusual in a case of officer murder to not have a suspect in custody within the first 24 hours.
"This is a difficult one for us, I mean not being able to have the ideal kind of information we need to get that suspect in immediate custody, this is the highest priority for the department," said Metz.
Investigators now believe the assassination of Officer Brenton was well planned, although they continue to work on the theory that he and his partner officer Britt Sweeney were random targets.
Transcripts of her radio calls for help moments after the suspect pinned in their cruiser and fired are now posted on the web site Seattlecrime.com.
Officer Sweeney: Shots fired, 29th and Yesler!
Dispatcher: Is there a unit calling radio?
The computer locates Unit 3 George 13. In seconds the computer pinpoints the unit.
Sweeney: Help. Shots fired [sobs]
Sweeney: My partner's dead.
Thirty-seven seconds after the first call, Officer Sweeney, now sobbing says "Help. Shots fired."
Five seconds later she says "My partner's dead."
Police believe murder was planned
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 Officer Sweeney's back.
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.
Community meeting
The Seattle Police Department's East Precinct is teaming up with the Leschi Community Council to hold a community meeting tonight.
It will take place at 7:30 tonight at the Central Area Senior Center at 500 30th Avenue South.
Officers will give an update the investigation and also answer any questions.
Tiplines
You can call Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 800-222-TIPS to report any tips anonymously.
The Seattle Police tipline is 206-233-5000.
Memorial service Friday
The memorial service for Officer Brenton is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. at KeyArena.
A memorial procession of up to 1,500 vehicles will depart from the University of Washington at 9 a.m. and will travel to the service.
During the procession, which is expected to last from 9 a.m. to noon, other traffic will not be allowed on the route and will not be allowed to cross it. The Seattle Department of Transportation advises drivers to expect severe congestion on city streets, especially as mourners are also anticipated along the course.
Family condolences and fund
A fund has been established for the family of Officer Brenton. Donations may be made at any Bank of America branch under the "Brenton Family Assistance Fund."
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
dr_cooper said on November 4, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Let's all pray this is the beginning of the end for the shooter(s). And the END of at least one part of this nightmare for Officer Brenton's family as well as Officer Sweeney.
truthdector said on November 4, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I believe this is political killing by the group of the radicals that protested the cops days earlier and burned the cop cars in the garage.. I bet they're taking the lead from the Weatherman's Underground movement, seeing how William Ayers got away with it and is allowed to brag about it and got his puppet Obama maneuvered into the White House, thus making all these political gains to transform the country they hate.
varekai said on November 4, 2009 at 2:43 PM
truthdector? And Santa Claus Killed J.F.K.