Maurice Clemmons and the 2009 Lakewood Police Ambush
Background
Maurice Clemmons (February 6, 1972 – December 1, 2009) was an Arkansas-born felon with a long criminal history who relocated to Washington State. His Arkansas sentences were reduced in 2000, making him eligible for parole; in the months before the killings he faced new charges in Washington, including assaulting an officer and raping a child, and was released on bail one week before the attack.
The Ambush at Forza Coffee (November 29, 2009)
At about 8:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 29, 2009, Clemmons walked into Forza Coffee Company at 11401 Steele Street S #108, in the Parkland area of Pierce County (near Tacoma), where four uniformed Lakewood Police Department officers were preparing for their shift. Without a word, he drew a Glock 17 and opened fire, killing all four officers in an attack later described as an ambush. Clemmons was struck in the abdomen by return fire from one of the officers and fled, leaving blood and other evidence that tied him to the scene.
Victims (Names, Date, Location)
- Sgt. Mark Renninger — killed November 29, 2009; Forza Coffee Company, 11401 Steele St S #108, Parkland, Pierce County, Washington.
- Officer Ronald Owens — killed November 29, 2009; Forza Coffee Company, 11401 Steele St S #108, Parkland, Pierce County, Washington.
- Officer Tina Griswold — killed November 29, 2009; Forza Coffee Company, 11401 Steele St S #108, Parkland, Pierce County, Washington.
- Officer Greg Richards — killed November 29, 2009; Forza Coffee Company, 11401 Steele St S #108, Parkland, Pierce County, Washington.
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