SWAT Team Successfully Arrests Armed Felony Assault Suspect
A domestic violence argument in front of a residence quickly escalated when the suspect loaded a shotgun and pointed it directly at the victim and a neighbor who witnessed the incident. The Spokane Valley SWAT Team responded to the location and after several hours, successfully took the suspect into custody.
On July 2, 2018 at approximately 5:15 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a call where a male, reportedly armed with a rifle, pushed a female in front of a residence located in the 500 block of S. Custer in Spokane Valley.
When Deputies arrived, they established a perimeter around the involved residence and blocked the roadways due to the reported weapon. Neighbors in the immediate area were advised to stay in their residences. Deputies gave announcements via their patrol car PA systems advising the people inside the involved house to exit with their hands visible but the announcements were ignored.
Eventually the female victim exited the residence and was removed to a safe location.
With the suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Brian F. Roesler, believed to be armed and additional weapons reported to be inside the residence, the Hostage Negotiation Team, SWAT Team, Spokane Valley Fire Rescue Task Force and members of the Explosive Disposal Unit were requested.
Hoping to end this incident peacefully using planning, equipment and tactics, the teams took control of the scene while a search warrant for the residence was requested and granted.
Continual announcements were made for Roesler to surrender peacefully while Negotiators attempted to make contact with him.
Approximately four hours later, Roesler was coaxed into exiting the residence. He remained defiant, continued to yell obscenities and failed to follow commands to keep his hands visible while continually reaching down toward his waistband area. Not knowing if Roesler was armed and with his continued failure to follow commands, SWAT Team members used restraint, held their position of cover and continued to work toward peacefully taking Roesler in custody.
When Roesler turned and started to walk back toward the residence, SWAT Team members quickly moved in to prevent Roesler from accessing the weapons believed to be in the residence, brought him to the ground and successfully placed him in handcuffs.
During a search, three shotguns, over 190 rounds of 12ga and .22 caliber ammunition were recovered.
Roesler was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 1st Degree (DV) and Assault 1st Degree.
