The officer gave chase and as he exited the window, he discovered that it was not the ground floor as he believed. [The main entrance is on the same floor as the apartment, it was not obvious that the landscape changed under the affected apartment.] 

The officer fell approx. 25 feet and was incapacitated.  Seattle Fire Department responded and transported him to Harborview Medical Center.  The officer sustained injuries as a result of the fall, but is in stable condition.  The suspect fled in an unknown direction and was not located. 

At about the same time, units were advised of an armed robbery at the business. The suspects were described as wearing bandanas and armed with a handgun and a knife. The officer was able to catch up and apprehend one of the suspects.

Numerous units responded to the area and located the 3 remaining suspects within a couple blocks of the store and took them into custody. The victims were able to positively identify the suspecsts.

A witness in the area stated that she observed 3 suspects hop a fence and run through her backyard. A K9 track was conducted and a handgun was located in her yard. 

Items taken in the robbery were recovered on the suspects’ person. All suspects were transported to the SPD Robbery unit for questioning. They were later booked into the Youth Service Center for Investigation of Robbery.

The suspect stopped in a stairwell near his apartment and was manipulating the gun in an apparent attempt to clear a malfunction. The suspect once again pointed the gun at detectives and the detectives fired on the suspect in self defense, striking him at least once.  The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.  No detectives were injured. 

The Tukwila Police Department is handling the crime scene investigation and the King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation. 

The Seattle Police Department continues its active and vigorous investigation of this case.  Detectives have determined several important facts at this point in the investigation:

Detectives have recovered DNA evidence from both the October 22^nd arson scene at the city maintenance facility and the scene of Officer Brenton’s murder on October 31^st.  The DNA evidence matches that of Monfort. 

Detectives recovered a .223 caliber rifle from Monfort’s apartment in Tukwila.  A ballistics test of that weapon identifies it as the firearm used in Officer Brenton’s murder and Officer Sweeney’s attempted murder. 

Also recovered from Monfort’s apartment was a considerable amount of bomb-making material and evidence that indicates that the type of explosive devices Monfort was in the process of making or had made were even more lethal than the ones used in the October 22^nd arson.  He clearly was intending to inflict even more destruction in his next criminal attack.  

Further examination of the explosive devices used in the October 22^nd arson and of the devices found in his apartment indicate that Monfort was intending to harm first responders to the scene, i.e. police and fire department personnel.    

Evidence recovered from Monfort’s Datsun 210 reveal that the car was struck by at least one of Officer Sweeney’s bullets fired from her service weapon during the October 31^st incident.   

Monfort remains under treatment at Harborview Medical Center.  For any inquiries regarding criminal charges, please call the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.  

The Seattle Police Department would like to sincerely thank the community and all the law enforcement agencies that showed their support for us during this difficult time. We would also like to thank the media for assisting us in disseminating information to the public regarding these incidents, Officer Brenton’s memorial service, and the on-going investigation.

Memorial Procession Map

 A memorial procession along city streets for Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton will be held on Friday, November 6. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will depart at 9:00 a.m. from the University of Washington and will travel to a service for the slain officer at Key Arena.   

During the procession, which is expected to last from 9:00 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 (SDOT) advises travelers to expect severe congestion near its path, especially as mourners are also anticipated along its course.

The memorial procession will use the following route:  begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m.  

Parking will not be allowed along the route and temporary “No Parking” signs will be emplaced. Officers from the Seattle Police Department will manage all intersections for the procession. 1st

Avenue N (Denny to Mercer) and Mercer Street (1st to 5th avenues N) will be closed when the procession arrives at those locations. Roads around the Seattle Center will also be closed to traffic, to include parking, prior to the event. 

The public memorial service at Key Arena will begin at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening at 11:00 a.m. No formal procession is planned after the ceremony. All questions concerning the procession route and traffic impacts should be directed to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

“The family of Officer Tim Brenton would like to thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of support.  Even with the tragic loss, Tim’s wife and children are finding solace in the support from the police community, their friends and family, and the community as a whole.  We know that Tim would be honored and humbled by the limitless support that has been provided at the difficult time.  We sincerely thank you for the generous emotional support, thoughts, and prayers.”

It is with profound sadness that we must inform you that a Seattle Police Officer was killed in the line of duty last night.  Officer Timothy Brenton,  a Field Training Officer assigned to Third Watch, East Precinct, was shot to death while he and Student Officer Britt Sweeney, were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29^th Avenue  last night shortly after 10:00 p.m.  The investigation thus far has shown that Officers Brenton and Sweeney had just completed a traffic stop and were discussing the stop as part of Officer Sweeney’s training.  Their patrol car was parked facing southbound in the 100 Block of 29^th Avenue on the west side of the street.   Officer Sweeney was in the driver’s seat; Officer Brenton was in the front passenger seat.  As they were discussing training, a vehicle, described as a light-colored small car, also travelling southbound, pulled up next to the patrol vehicle.  The suspect(s) opened fire upon the officers.  The bullets went by Officer Sweeney’s head, grazing her in the back of the neck and tearing her uniform shirt and vest.  Bullets struck Officer Brenton in the head, killing him.  The suspect vehicle then fled northbound on 29^th Avenue.  Officer Sweeney was able to exit the patrol car and return fire at the suspect vehicle.  The suspect vehicle may have been struck.  Officer Sweeney was able to get on the air and summon additional officers to the scene.  Officer Sweeney’s performance was exemplary under the most stressful and horrific call imaginable.

There was a massive response from all points of the city and beyond. Patrol, detectives, and the Hospital Response Team all responded and provided support for officers and the families.   Information is being developed as to possible suspect(s).  SPD Homicide detectives are responsible for this investigation.

There is no other way to describe what occurred last night to Officers Brenton and Sweeney other than this was a deliberate act of murder.   We have all the resources of the Department working on this investigation, and will not stop until we have those responsible answer for this heinous crime.  We owe it to Officers Brenton and Sweeney, their families, ourselves and the community.

Officer Brenton was 39 years old and a 9-year veteran of the Department at the time of his death.  He leaves behind a wife and two children.  Officer Sweeney is 33 years old and a recent graduate of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.

Funeral arrangements are being planned and more information will be forthcoming.

This is a profound tragedy and shock to our senses.  We will take the time to grieve, reflect, and honor our fallen brother.  The Department’s Crisis Incident Stress Management Team will be available for all those who request it.

The Department has set up a tip line for the public to provide information that may assist the investigation.  That number is (206) 233-5000.

A bank account for Officer Timothy Brenton’s family is being set up at this time.  We will provide more information when the details become available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 or the Seattle Police Homicide Unit at 206 684-5550, or the tipline at (206) 233-5000.  Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637).  Your text message should include “TIP486″  to ensure proper routing.  If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.  An additional $20,000 reward is being offered by the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild, for a total of $21,000.  Calls are taken 24 hours a day.