Suspect, Armed with a Knife, Arrested for Robbery, Assault, and Threats to Kill
Spokane Valley Deputies located a suspect, reportedly armed with a knife, that had just robbed the WinCo Foods. The initially uncooperative suspect was safely taken into custody after Deputies de-escalated the situation. He was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, and two counts of Harassment-Threats to Kill.
On October 18, 2019, at approximately 4:00 a.m., several Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a male, armed with a knife, threatening employees at WinCo Foods in Spokane Valley.
Deputies arrived in the area in less than three minutes and began looking for the male, later identified as 29-year-old Scott Baxter. Baxter, described as wearing a red/black hoodie, tan pants, and a black hat, had walked away from the store toward the east on Sprague.
Immediately, Deputy Bitzer located Baxter, who matched the description and stood with his hands raised in the air, just east of the store parking lot on Sprague. Several Deputies, including Deputy Blaakman, Deputy Baken, and Deputy Giacomini, also arrived to assist and began giving commands to Baxter.
Not knowing if Baxter was still armed, Deputies deployed lethal and less-lethal options while giving commands to go down to the ground. Baxter yelled random phrases and did not comply. He stripped off his clothes from the waist up and finally sat down but remained defiant refused to lay on his stomach.
Refusing to follow commands, Baxter continued to yell at the Deputies. At one point, Baxter said, “I’ll kill you, then I’ll kill your (expletive) (expletive) too! I will (expletive) execute you!”
With the high likelihood, Baxter was still armed with the knife and possibly other weapons; Deputies kept their distance. Deputy Giacomini gained Baxter’s attention and began trying to de-escalate the situation. Deputy Giacomini achieved Baxter’s compliance, and he was taken into custody without further incident. Baxter was found to be unarmed.
Baxter was provided medical attention at the scene for a cut to his hand, received prior to contact with Deputies.
Deputy Bitzer located a large red kitchen knife, believed to have been discarded by Baxter, on the east side of the parking lot.
The cashier working the register told Deputies Baxter came through his line. Baxter placed a beer can, the contents of his pockets, and a large (12”) red kitchen knife on the conveyor belt. Baxter told the employee to tell his boss he (Baxter) tried to “slice” him and made a stabbing/slashing motion in the victim’s direction. Baxter grabbed the knife, beer, and the rest of the items before exiting the store. The victim said he was afraid for his safety and believed Baxter was going to stab him.
Baxter was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Robbery 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, and two counts of Harassment-Threats to Kill.
Thankfully, except for the minor cut to Baxter’s hand, no one was injured during this extremely volatile and dangerous incident.
