Tukwila police spokesman Mike Murphy said investigators were following up on leads on the murder at an apartment complex when the man flashed a handgun and was shot by three Seattle detectives.

"Seattle PD detectives were out here, following up on a person of interest in the Officer Brenton homicide, and this person of interest ran, and was shot as he ran from the scene," Murphy said. "They had to fire to protect themselves."

The man was loaded onto a stretcher and rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he was taken into emergency surgery in critical condition.

Seattlepi.com, citing sources, identified the suspect as 41-year-old Christopher M. Monfort. Police would not confirmed the man's name, but did say the man lives in the apartment complex in the 14300 block of 56th Ave South where Friday's shooting took place. Records indicate a man named Christopher Monfort does reside in the complex.

Police originally identified the man as a person of interest in the case, but on Friday night redefined him as a suspect in the case.

Police also took into custody another person whom police wished to question in connection to the murder case. That possible witness was taken into custody at a nearby park-n-ride lot by Federal Way police.

Asked if anyone else was being sought, Murphy said, "we feel that as far as suspects, we don't think there's anybody else that we're looking for."

Police said a tip from a citizen involving a car parked outside the apartment led them to the location.

Police on Thursday said a dash cam inside Brenton's patrol car snapped a photo of the car believed to be that of the gunman, and they released the picture publicly.

On Friday video from AIR 4 over the shooting scene showed a car parked in the lot that appeared to match the general shape of the wanted vehicle, but a car cover concealed the top of the car.

"The car matches the general description, but it's too early to say we've got the car," Murphy said.

Brenton was shot to death Saturday night as he sat in a parked patrol car in the city's Central District neighborhood, reviewing a traffic stop with rookie officer Britt Sweeney.

Sweeney was grazed by several bullets and returned fire.

While officials have not declared the man arrested as the suspected shooter, officers leaving the memorial for Brenton at KeyArena were visibly relieved to hear an arrest had been made, many offering each other high-fives and congratulations.

Seattlepi.com is a media partner of KOMO News.