Detectives Investigating Fatal Fight in Tavern Parking Lot Seek Information
Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detective Marc Melville would like to talk to any potential witnesses who may have information leading up to or after a fight, which took place on December 29, 2019, in the parking lot of Ichabod’s East. The victim who was hospitalized since the fight, died Friday due to his injuries.
On December 29, 2019, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a male lying in the parking lot of Ichabod’s Tavern located at 12116 E. Sprague in Spokane Valley. The caller stated the victim had been assaulted and was lying on the ground, possibly passed out. The suspect reportedly had left the scene.
Responding Deputies located the unconscious 40-year-old victim lying in the parking lot. The victim, bleeding heavily from his head and face, was transported to a hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries where he remained until succumbing to his injuries Friday evening.
Through the investigation, the suspect was later identified as 38-year-old Joseph R. W. Riley. Investigators arrested Riley on January 2, 2020, and booked him into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 1st Degree, where he currently remains with a $150,000 bond.
Detective Melville continues to investigate this incident and would like to talk to anyone who may have information regarding what lead up to this fatal encounter, who witnessed the fight itself, or what may have been said about it in the following days.
If you were at Ichabod’s Tavern on December 28, 2019, after approximately 10:30 p.m. and observed Riley at the establishment prior to him joining two adult females and the victim inside, what took place in the parking lot around closing time, or have any information regarding this incident, you are asked to call Detective Melville at 509-477-3325.