For 11 hours police believed they had Maurice Clemmons barricaded in a house in Seattle. A SWAT team breached the house to discover he was not there. Clemmons is believed to have been shot in the abdomen by an officer. A massive manhunt is underway in the wake of the shooting.
Clemmons,37, has a long rap sheet that dates back to his teens. He served 11 years in an Arkansas prison on various felony counts including severe violence. He was granted clemency by then Ark. Governor Mike Huckabee. Clemmons stated he had turned his life around in prison.
Clemmons moved to Washington and had a history there of domestic violence and other crimes. He was released from jail last week on bail after a charge of raping a child, a second degree crime.
Clemmons reported told people he knew to watch the news on Sunday because he was going to kill police. The following day he allegedly walked into the Forza coffee shop in Pierce County, and ambushed four police officers, including a sergeant and SWAT team member.
One officer was able to fight Clemmons to the door, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and the officer was shot and killed. Clemmons then escaped on foot.
At this time the University of Washington has been warned that Clemmons may be in the area or on the campus. Police responded to a call there. Clemmons was reportedly seen getting off a campus bus and making his way to the medical building. Police searched the building but did not find him.
A massive manhunt is now underway for a suspect that has been able to elude police, the FBI and SWAT team members.
Clemmons should be considered armed and dangerous. If you encounter him you are advised to keep your distance and call 9-1-1.
Comments
Were they really working hard to contact him for 12 hours or were they just sitting outside waiting for him to bleed to death?
If the latter, then their desire for revenge caused them to lose the trail.
Gene C.
Consider this: Notification and evacuation of surrounding residences with a perimeter of up to six blocks. Coordination of Law Enforcement SRT teams along with EMS. Attempts to confirm the presence and contact anyone inside the residence. Final authorization to storm a residence where an armed cop killer may be held up. Taking all of that into consideration, 11 hours does not seem unreasonable.
Gene, your a douche. 11hr standoff with a known cop killer is not along time. I challenge you to go barging into a house with a known cop killer who is armed and dangerous as soon as you arrive to the house.
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