SWAT officer killed in line-of-duty serving high-risk warrant on felony assault suspect

Dominique Calata, a 35-year-old military veteran, National Guard member, and SWAT team officer was shot and killed by the 40-year-old suspect, who authorities say exited his vehicle and began shooting at deputies during the planned operation.

The suspect also shot SWAT team commander Sergeant Rich Scaniffe, a 21-year veteran of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, who is underwent surgery for serious injuries, according to Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer.

The suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers on scene. Pierce County Prosecutor's Office identified the suspect as 40-year-old Jeremy Dayton. According to Tacoma police spokesperson Wendy Haddow, the suspect had multiple felony convictions and was known to be dangerous.

Haddow said that the South Sound Gang Task Force had requested the assistance of the SWAT team to serve an arrest warrant on the man for second-degree assault.

The task force is comprised of multiple police agencies, the Department of Corrections and the FBI.

The shooting occurred in the 19000 block of Pacific Avenue South in Spanaway. The first call for medical assistance came out at about 11:50 AM., but the SWAT team began its operation about 8:30 AM., Haddow said in a press brief. Haddow said that shots were exchanged outside a mobile home, but failed to clarify what led to the shooting.

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) will be handling the investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is made available to the public.