Unclear why Lakewood police killed soldier

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, October 25, 2011

LAKEWOOD — Lakewood police said Monday they’re still trying to determine how a Lewis-McChord soldier was killed early Sunday by officers near his home.

Lt. Dave Guttu said the four officers placed on leave had yet to be questioned.

They had responded about 1 a.m. Sunday to a report of a man who had been shot or shot himself in the street. Guttu says he was armed with a handgun and had left a nearby party after an argument.

There was some sort of confrontation in which officers fired and 32-year-old Trent Lloyd-Thorpe died.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord says he had arrived at the base in early October.

Neighbors told The News Tribune he had recently returned from Afghanistan and lived with his fiancée and two children.