Armed, Erratic, Disorderly Male Continues to Fight
Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies took a disorderly and reportedly armed male into custody after a struggle last Friday. After he was detained, he was found to be in possession of a replica BB gun and throwing knives. He was provided medical attention, but his demeanor remained aggressive and erratic, spitting blood while yelling threats and profanities.
On October 16, 2020, at approximately 9:00 pm., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a male walking on Sprague, near Pines. The male (approximately 6’02”, 250lbs) was yelling at passing cars and people while pulling his coat back as if he was trying to display a gun in his waistband area.
Deputy Bitzer arrived in the area and located a male matching the description provided near Denney’s. As Deputy Bitzer pulled into the parking lot, the male was gone. Continuing to search, the man was observed hiding between parked vehicles.
The male did not respond when contact was attempted. Instead, he walked away and went south, crossing Sprague at Pines.
Waiting for him to cross the busy street and get out of traffic, Deputy Bitzer told him he needed to stop. He immediately turned around, screaming, “No! (expletive) you! Burn in hell!”. Trying to de-escalate his highly aggressive and erratic behavior, Deputy Bitzer attempted to engage in conversation, asking questions in a calm tone, but he continued to yell, saying he was free to go.
When Deputy Bitzer informed him that he was being detained, he yelled, “If you were a (expletive) cop, I’d burn you in hell!”. As he continued to yell, he waved around a walking cane that he had been carrying.
During the contact, Deputy Kullman and Deputy Reno had arrived to assist.
Not knowing if the male was suffering a mental crisis, under the influence of drugs/alcohol, or if he was in fact actually armed with a weapon(s), Deputies decided they needed to take control of him for his safety, the safety of the citizens who had begun to gather, and the unsuspecting motorists on Sprague if he suddenly rushed into the roadway.
The male immediately began to resist, and he was taken to the ground in a grassy area. Deputies worked to control his arms and feet as he continued to fight and thrash around. After he was placed in handcuffs and rolled to his side, he tried to bite a Deputy’s boot while continuing to yell obscenities. He spat (including blood coming from his nose) at the Deputies and hitting another on the side of the face.
During a search of the male, a replica CO2 BB pistol was located tucked in his waistband. In addition, he had throwing knives concealed on his person.
He continued to resist and fight the efforts of Spokane Valley Firefighters and AMR personnel who had responded to provide medical treatment. The handcuffs were removed, and soft restraints were applied for the transport to the hospital.
Because the male was in dire need of medical treatment and needed to be hospitalized while he was evaluated and observed, he was not arrested. A charging request was forward to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office recommending charges of Assault 3rd Degree (2-counts), Possession of Dangerous Weapons, and Obstructing Law Enforcement.
Thankfully, no citizens, the male nor any Deputies were injured during this extremely unpredictable and potentially violent encounter.
