Officer Murdered In Halloween Night Ambush

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Officer Tim Brenton was a 9-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department.

As Halloween 2009 came to a close, cops said Officer Timothy Brenton and his trainee, Officer Britt Sweeney, had just completed a traffic stop. Brenton, 39, and Sweeney, 33, were discussing procedure when a small, light-colored car pulled up next to their cruiser.

Without warning, shots rang out in the officers’ direction. Officer Brenton was hit in the head and killed instantly. Officer Sweeney was grazed by a bullet in the back of her neck.

Officer Sweeney had been with the department for only six months, but she knew exactly what to do in this situation. She immediately returned fire at the suspect vehicle and then radioed for help. Police said the suspect vehicle might have been struck by the return fire.

Officials released no information about motive at the time, but they said the assault was a deliberate act. It was later revealed that an American flag bandana was found at the scene which would prove to be an important clue.

Officer Brenton had been with the force for 9 years and left behind a wife and two children. The mayor of Seattle announced in a press conference that Officer Brenton’s murder was the first intentional homicide of a Seattle Police Officer since 1994. Flags in the city of Seattle were flown at half-mast until after Officer Brenton’s funeral.

Killer Profiled...

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This photo was taken from the in-car camera of Officer Brenton and Sweeney's patrol car. The vehicle of interest is in the left-hand side of the frame.

On Nov. 5, 2009, Seattle Police released a profile of the person suspected in the murder of Officer Tim Brenton. They said the perpetrator was skilled in weaponry and likely practiced in the time leading up to the attack.

The Seattle PD said, “He likely has experienced a significant personal crisis in the recent past. This event may have been the death of a loved one, loss of job or status, divorce, financial hardship, or other failure.

"Whatever it is that is bothering him, he may often be outspoken about what he perceives to be a deeply personal grievance. We’d like to know what this grievance is. His grievance may relate to his employment or position in life. We do believe that although he shot a police officer, he may in fact admire them and even act like them.”

Investigators focused on a sole male offender but said there may have been accomplices who helped, possibly even without knowledge that the suspect intended to kill police officers.

Cops also released images of a vehicle of interest -- an early 80’s Datsun 210 -- which was captured by Seattle PD in-car cameras of officers while responding to the crime scene.

The vehicle also appeared in an image taken by Officer Brenton's squad car.

…Attacks Linked

Prosecutors later connected Officer Brenton’s murder to an arson attack in mid-October at a municipal vehicle lot.

The fire was started in a large mobile precinct vehicle. Homemade bombs had been placed under surrounding patrol cars that were fused to go off after the initial explosion.

Although the goal was to kill officers and first responders, luckily no-one was injured.

However, a distinct clue had been left behind by the perpetrator -- a large hunting knife with an American flag affixed to the handle was found plunged through the roof of a patrol car.

DNA evidence on both the American flag and the bandana found at the Halloween murder scene later tied the two events together.

Tipster Points Detectives In The Right Direction

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Cops say this assault rifle, found in Monfort's apartment, was used to kill Officer Tim Brenton.

The day of Officer Brenton’s memorial, a concerned member of the community called detectives to clue them in to the location of the suspect vehicle.

When plain clothes police officers confronted the registered owner of the car -- 41-year-old Christopher John Monfort -- he allegedly attempted to fire on them with a handgun. Instead, when the gun failed to fire, he was shot twice and apprehended.

Cops said they found various weapons and homemade explosives inside Monfort’s apartment. Authorities said they recovered the assault rifle used to attack and kill Officer Brenton.

Cops said the bandana and flag were sort of a calling card for Monfort and that he was motivated by anger at Seattle Police.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said the officers were “targeted solely because of the badge they wore.” He saw Monfort’s actions as “a declaration of war against police officers everywhere.”

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Satterberg said.

On November 12, 2009, prosecutors charged Christopher John Monfort with five counts, including aggravated first-degree murder, and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Tip Leads Cops To Identify, Take Down Suspect

Cops say they found homemade bombs like these in Monfort's apartment.
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»More capture photos

On November 6, 2009, slain Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton’s memorial was underway.

In nearby Tukwila, plain clothes officers had zeroed in on a person of interest. Earlier that day, the department received a tip they hoped would lead them to the specific and rare vehicle of interest they sought in connection with Officer Brenton’s murder.

Sure enough, cops came upon the tarped vehicle and they believed the car’s registered owner -- 41-year-old Christopher John Monfort -- was inside the apartment.

Police said that when Monfort exited the apartment, the officers approached and identified themselves. Monfort then produced a handgun and ducked into a stairwell. Monfort allegedly pulled the trigger but luckily the fully-loaded gun did not fire -- he had failed to chamber a round.

Cops said Monfort ran towards the apartment but he did not make it through the door. Officers returned fire in self-defense, hitting him in the stomach and face. Monfort survived and was taken into custody.

Inside the apartment, investigators surveyed a shocking scene.

A stash of homemade hand grenades filled with nails and other bomb-making materials were strewn about.

A bomb was attached to the kitchen stove, ready to go off with a turn of the dial. A stack of automobile tires was found near the door meant for use as a barricade.

Authorities said Monfort was preparing to make a final armed stand should he be discovered.

Lastly, cops said they found -- among other firearms -- the murder weapon used to assault Officers Brenton and Sweeney on Halloween night.

Prosecutors said Monfort acted alone in his own personal war against the police. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.