Deputy Involved Shooting in North Spokane
Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team Investigating
Initial information indicates this morning, January 10, 2020, at approximately 3:50 a.m., a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, of a vehicle, near the intersection of N. Wall and W. Weile.
The vehicle failed to stop, turning west on Weile, and then south on Post. Shortly after, the car crashed into the fence of a home. The male driver exited his vehicle and advanced toward the Deputy, failing to follow multiple commands. Due to this rapidly evolving and dangerous situation, the lone Deputy attempted to deploy his Taser, but it did not work. A very short foot pursuit ensued into the backyard of a residence.
Moments later and still not following commands, the driver stopped, turned toward the Deputy, and reached into the front waistband area/pants. The Deputy fired his handgun one time, striking the male.
Medics were called to the scene where the male was pronounced deceased.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted. SIRR Team Investigators responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. SIRR Team members will remain at the scene as they process evidence and interview any potential witnesses.
Following standard protocol, the Deputy who fired his service weapon has been placed on administrative leave.
SIRR Team Investigators ask anyone, not already been contacted by law enforcement, who may have home surveillance video or information related to this incident to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. As an involved agency, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police personnel will not be involved in this investigation in compliance with WAC 139-12, which was developed after the passage I-940.
* The Spokane Police Department is the case managing agency for this incident. All future communications will be sent via the SIRR Team.
* The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will release the name of the Deputy involved at a later time.
* The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased, at a later date, when appropriate.
* Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.