Police officer killed in Washington state during domestic violence call

  • Police responded to a domestic violence incident in Tacoma, Washington 
  • Witnesses claimed shots were fired from a basement in the home
  • The suspect was holding a woman and her two children against their will
  • One responding officer was shot and later died from his injuries 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 23:57 EST, 30 November 2016 | Updated: 04:14 EST, 1 December 2016

A police officer in Washington state has been shot and murdered while responding to a domestic violence call. 

The officer entered a house in Tacoma, Washington when he came under sustained gunfire. 

It is understood that the gunman was holding a woman and her two children hostage in the basement of the house. 

A police officer offers a salute as the body of a fellow officer is taken from Tacoma Hospital

The officer, who has not yet been named, was shot attending a domestic violence dispute

Fellow officers spoke with a woman who had been held hostage in the suspect's house 

Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening.

She said: 'We've suffered a great loss and I think the community has suffered a great loss. I don't know how to put that into words.'

The officer's name has not yet been released while his family are notified of the tragedy.

The body, escorted by a procession of law enforcement officers from around the region, was moved from the hospital to the county medical examiner's office Wednesday night.

Cool said police responded to the home Wednesday afternoon in the 400 block of East 52nd Street and that shortly after arriving, officers called for backup.

Dozens of police stood in silence outside Tacoma hospital after being told the officer died  

Medics battled to save the officer's life after he was dragged to safety from the gunman  

The officer's body has been removed from the hospital to the medical examiner's office 

Reacting to shots fired, arriving officers entered the home and managed to get the wounded officer outside and to a hospital, Cool said. 

Medics battled to save the officer's life but he died in surgery.

Detectives are currently investigating what led to last night's shooting. 

In a statement, Washington Governor Jay Inslee said he and his wife Trudi were sending their thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of the officer.

He said: 'All of Washington grieves with Tacoma, which tonight lost one of their finest. Our hearts are with the men and women of the Tacoma Police Department, their families, and their brothers and sisters in law enforcement across Washington.'

Cool said police believe the suspect remained in the home Wednesday night. She said the neighborhood was locked down while officers from multiple agencies were 'working to bring it to a peaceful resolution'.

She also said it's possible the suspect, who hasn't been identified, could have left while police were removing the wounded officer from the scene. She said that's why the large neighborhood perimeter had been set up.  

Governor of Washington Jay Inslee said the entire state was in mourning following the death

It is understood that the suspect is still on the run according to Tacoma police 

Fellow officers stood in a guard of honor for the slain police man who was killed last night

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