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Suspect in Seattle police shooting has Alaska ties

by Rebecca Palsha
Sunday, November 8, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A man accused of shooting and killing a police officer in Seattle has ties to Alaska.

Police say Christopher Monfort, 41, killed one Seattle police officer and wounded another Halloween night. Officials believe Monfort is also responsible for fire-bombing police vehicles in a maintenance yard on Oct. 22, and describe him as a domestic terrorist. American flags were left at the scene of both crimes.

Monfort's mother owns a Curves fitness center in Bethel. The Seattle Times spoke with a woman in Bethel who knows Monfort. She says the reports don't sound like anything Monfort would do, and she questions whether police have the right man.

Police shot and arrested Monfort outside his apartment during a police search Friday. He allegedly drew a gun on detectives.

"The report is, he pulled the trigger and it did not go off. Officers drew their guns at the same time,” said Assistant Seattle Police Chief Jim Pugel. “In the apartment we found improvised explosive devices, homemade.”

Police also seized two long guns and articles about the police vehicle bombing. Monfort underwent extensive surgery, and is in serious condition under close watch at Harborview Medical Center.

Monfort's family hired defense attorney John Henry Browne, who also defended Alaska lawmaker Vic Kohring during his corruption trial in 2007. Browne says there is a lot of circumstantial evidence, and he says the family is understandably frustrated.

“They’re not getting any answers,” Browne said. “They don't know about his condition. They have no access to him.”

Monfort has no prior criminal record. Police say they believe Monfort acted alone.

Seattle’s KING 5 News and The Seattle Times contributed material to this report. Contact Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com