Update: Suspect Shot During Altercation With Lakewood Police Was Civilian Contractor In Iraq

More details about the death of 35-year-old Daniell Johnson reveal he served in Iraq as a civilian contractor, working as a mechanic according to an anonymous friend who has known him since they were teenagers.

Police reports said Johnson choked and punched his recently divorced wife in a domestic violence dispute before leaving their house at 27 Rips Lane SW on Tuesday night in a white Nissan sedan. The suspect told officers he was nearby and the officers told him they needed to talk to him. Johnson only stated that, "It doesn't matter."

Shortly after police spotted him, Johnson returned to the scene — and while the car was stopped — a gunshot rang out. Police say it appeared that the suspect may have shot himself at the scene.

At the scene, officers including SWAT teams members surrounded Johnson's car which had heavily tinted windows, according to police reports. After hearing a shot inside the car, SWAT teams members approached the car and, after seeing movement, shot three times into the white Nissan sedan.

Police found Johnson dead inside. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's report has not been released, which will determine if he died from the self-inflicting gun shot or the three shots fired by a police officer.

Police attempted to break the tinted window with non-lethal bullets to see what was going on but because of the tint the glass held together and did not completely break.

The officer involved in the shooting is a 14-year veteran on the force, Lt. Chris Lawler said, and was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Patch is seeking more details.