Seattle police seek old Datsun

SEATTLE – Seattle police looking for the killer of Officer Timothy Brenton said Thursday they’re looking for a white or beige Datsun 210 built between 1980 and 1983.

Brenton, 39, was fatally shot on Halloween night, and a rookie officer with him was wounded as they were parked reviewing a traffic stop.

Police said auto design experts tell them the old Datsun most resembles an enhanced video image of a vehicle captured on the dashboard camera of a patrol car that responded to the shooting.

They say the car on the video was in the area at the time of the attack and is similar to the car described by surviving Officer Britt Sweeney. She returned fire, possibly hitting the car.

A police profile of the shooter suggests a weapons-trained person who may have recently suffered a traumatic event, Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel said.

“He may have been outspoken about a deep grievance,” Pugel said. “We do believe that although he shot a police officer, he may in fact admire them and even act like them.”

A $105,000 reward is offered for information.