Suspect Barricades Himself in a Shed and Refuses to Surrender
SWAT, Rescue Task Force, Negotiators, Take Suspect into Custody without Injury
SWAT and Rescue Task Force Teams, Negotiators, and Spokane Valley Deputies successfully ended a standoff with a barricaded suspect without injury.
On November 23, 2021, at approximately 8:40 am., Spokane Valley Deputies were advised a suspect in a green Nissan intentionally drove through an aluminum gate at Kaiser Trentwood. The damage to the gate was estimated to be at least $2000.00. The vehicle had also been reported prior to this incident as an erratic or possibly intoxicated driver.
A Deputy located the vehicle and followed it while waiting for backup units to assist. The driver, later identified as 55-year-old Joseph A. B. Muhammad, drove to a residence in the 19100 block of E. Mariette, pulled into the driveway, and went inside a shed on the property.
When the Deputies attempted to contact Joseph, he slammed the door in their face. The situation escalated rapidly, with Joseph yelling something to the effect that if Deputies wanted a fight to the death, let’s do this, “I am going to kill you.”
Several attempts to convince Joseph into peacefully surrendering failed.
With this now being a barricaded suspect refusing to exit, a search warrant was sought. The SWAT Team and Negotiators were requested, along with the assistance of the Rescue Task Force and a UAV.
Continued PA announcements and warnings for the suspect to surrender continued to be unsuccessful.
With the Teams in place and a signed search warrant, announcements continued as Negotiators attempted to convince Joseph to surrender. Joseph continued to be defiant and chose not to surrender while calling media outlets, informing them he would kill Deputies if they attempted to make entry.
During the hours-long standoff, Joseph remained uncooperative and, at one point, appeared to display a knife in the window of the shed while continuing to threaten Deputies.
At approximately 3:00 pm., when an opportunity presented itself, OC gas was deployed into the shed. Soon after, Joseph exited the building and was taken into custody without further incident.
After being medically cleared, Joseph was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 2nd Degree, Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree, and two counts of Intimidating a Public Servant, all felonies.
During the transport to jail, Joseph continued to threaten the life of the Deputy and threatened to kill other members of law enforcement.
** The Rescue Task Force Teams are comprised of Spokane Valley Firefighters who have been trained to work alongside SWAT Team members in a tactical environment.