Starbucks Shooting Sees Police Officer Gunned Down, Run Over in Parking Lot

A police officer was fatally shot and run over on Friday after a confrontation at a Starbucks parking lot in Everett, Washington.

A 50-year-old man, whose name has not been released, shot Everett police officer Dan Rocha, 41, several times before running over his body as he fled the scene, KNWN radio station reported.

No other details were revealed about the events that led up to the shooting, but Rocha, who worked in the Everett Police Department since 2017, was responding to a report of "suspicious activity" that led to the altercation with the suspect, The Everett Herald reported.

A nearby witness said he heard multiple gunshots and saw the officer's body on the ground as the suspect put away his gun and fled the scene in a blue Mini Cooper. The shooter also tore off the back bumper of the car as he drove away.

Police said that the suspect was arrested during a police pursuit shortly after the shooting that ended in the crash of three vehicles, according to the Herald. The crash caused no injuries.

The suspect was then transferred to a local hospital for minor injuries and was expected to be transferred to Snohomish County Jail, according to Courtney O'Keefe, a spokeswoman for the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team.

"Officer Rocha had a heart for service," said Everett Police Department Chief Dan Templeman, according to KNWN. "He loved the community and the officers he was privileged to serve with every day."

Templeman said that Rocha first served the city as a parking enforcement officer before deciding to become a cop. He also added that a ceremony and memorial fund will be launched within the coming days to honor Rocha.

The police chief said that the last time an officer at the department was killed in the line of duty was in July 1999 when officer Brian Michael DiBucci fell 100 feet to his death during a pursuit.

"He [Rocha] served the City of Everett as a patrol officer in North Everett for most of his career and was well respected by both the community and his fellow officers. His loss will forever leave a void in our agency and our community," the Everett Police Department said in a statement Friday night on its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin also expressed grief over the loss of the officer.

"I am devastated by the loss of Officer Dan Rocha, a valued member of our Everett Police Department who was killed today in the line of duty. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones, as well as our entire Everett Police Department grieving this senseless loss," the mayor said in a statement on Friday.

"Our police officers bravely put themselves in harm's way to keep every one of us safe. When one of our heroes falls, it causes a ripple of grief felt by our entire community. We are heartbroken, and honor Officer Rocha's memory, legacy, and ultimate sacrifice in service to our City," she added.

The Everett Police Department said that an investigation has been launched into the officer's death and will be conducted by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team.

Newsweek contacted the Snohomish sheriff's office and will update the story once a response is received.