Police: Suspect shot Everett officer multiple times, killing him

Everett police officer shot and killed by suspect

41-year-old Everett police officer Dan Rocha was shot and killed by a suspect during an altercation. Rocha has been with the department since 2017.

EVERETT, Wash. - Investigators say a 50-year-old man shot and killed an Everett police officer Friday afternoon.

According to the public information officer (PIO) for the Snohomish County Multi-Agency Response Team (SMART), 41-year-old Dan Rocha contacted a man in the parking lot of a Starbucks at 1010 N. Broadway Avenue around 2 p.m. regarding "suspicious behavior."

The pair got into a tussle and the suspect then fired at Rocha multiple times, killing him. It's unclear at this time how the suspect got the gun, and whether it was his or Rocha's.

The PIO also said during a media briefing that the suspect ran over Rocha with his car.

The suspect then sped off in a mini-Cooper. Everett police were able to find the car and began chasing it.

The chase ended when the suspect hit two vehicles at the intersection of 35th Street and Rucker Ave. He was taken into custody there.

Rocha has been with the department since 2017.

Neighbors shocked by killing of Everett Police officer

Neighbors say they cannot believe the violence that ended up on their block, after a fleeing suspect, in the killing of an Everett officer, crashed through at intersection.

On Facebook, the Everett Police Department wrote:

"It is with great sorrow that we inform our community that Officer Dan Rocha was killed today in the line of duty. Officer Rocha, 41, had lived in Everett for over a decade and served with the Everett Police Department since 2017. He first worked in parking enforcement and in 2018 became a fully commissioned police officer.

He 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. Officer Rocha is survived by his wife, two sons and large extended family. Please keep them in your thoughts during this extremely difficult time.

The investigation surrounding Officer Rocha’s death is being conducted by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team and all questions should be directed to their PIO.

Our department and all its members are appreciative for the support that our community and fellow law enforcement agencies have shown us during this time. Details about the memorial service will be provided soon."

Everett Community College was on lockdown for several minutes due to its proximity to the scene. The lockdown was announced just before 2:30 p.m.

"Not a drill. Lock doors. Seek shelter. Avoid being seen or heard," the college tweeted.

SMART responded to the incident. They are called in to respond to and investigate police use of force incidents.

Police took a 50-year-old suspect into custody at the crash scene, Everett officer Kerby Duncan told The Everett Herald.

The suspect was not injured.

The news broke during a celebration of life for Pierce County deputy Dom Calata, who was shot and killed in the line of duty earlier this month.

Detectives with the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or who may have surveillance footage of it to contact them at 425-338-3845.

We will have new information as it becomes available.

This is a developing story.

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