Police Standoff at House in Tacoma Where Officer Fatally Shot

— -- Police have surrounded a Tacoma, Washington home where an individual who shot and killed a police officer is believed to be holed up.

Police describe the scene as active, chaotic and potentially dangerous and say a woman and children who were in the home have been led to safety.

The police officer was shot several times in the line of duty at about 4 p.m. Wednesday while responding to a domestic disturbance and later died in the hospital.

Officers called for backup shortly after responding to the disturbance and quickly reported shots fired, Loretta Cool, spokeswoman for the Tacoma Police Department, told KOMO.

The suspect barricaded himself in the house with a rifle and fired multiple shots, according to police.

The area around the house has been shut down to traffic and is surrounded by a strong police presence.

A law enforcement helicopter, patrol cars, and officers from multiple state and local agencies have responded to the shooting.

"All of Washington grieves with Tacoma, which tonight lost one of their finest," said Washington state governor Jay Inslee in a statement.

“Our hearts are with the men and women of the Tacoma Police Department, their families, and their brothers and sisters in law enforcement across Washington.

“We don’t have all the answers from tonight’s shooting, and the crime scene is still active," he added.

Police and residents from across the state paid their respects.

]/>