Dishman Hills UPDATE: Deputies/Detectives Identify and Arrest Suspect for Multiple Felony and Misdemeanor Crimes
Spokane Valley Deputies and Major Crimes Detectives continued the investigation, identified the suspect, and developed probable cause to charge him with four felonies and four misdemeanors charges stemming from and leading up to this incident.
Spokane Valley Deputies and Major Crimes Detectives continued to work through the information they had collected and positively identified the suspect as 21-year-old Joel A. Young.
As they worked to locate Young, Deputy Travis West learned Young was a convicted felon (assault 3rd Degree) and was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm. He also received information on where Young might be and how he fled from the Dishman Hills Area.
The continued investigation revealed that Young stole the pistol he fired in the Dishman Hills Natural Area from a family member but returned it soon after fleeing from Deputies. They also contacted a female who initially denied being with Young earlier but admitted she had been when confronted with evidence.
Deputy West located and confirmed two No Contact Orders issued by the courts. One prohibited Young from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within 500’ of the family member’s home, and the second prohibited him from knowingly entering, remaining, or coming within 1000’ of the female’s residence, school, workplace, any known location.
Deputy West eventually spoke with Young by phone. Young would not surrender or turn himself in and lied multiple times about his location, claiming to love the cat and mouse game. He continually bragged about not being caught and made claimed he would force a suicide by cop situation despite continued efforts to get him to cooperate and peacefully surrender.
Later in the evening, Deputy West received information Young might be in the area of E. 16th Avenue and E. Saltese Road. Several Deputies responded to the area, located Young, and took him into custody without incident.
Young was transported to the Spokane Valley Precinct, where he was interviewed by Major Crimes Detective Derek McNall, who was coordinating with Deputies and RIG9 Analysts during the search.
Afterward, Young was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 1st Degree, Theft of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Violation of a No Contact Order (two counts), Reckless Endangerment, and Aiming or Discharging Firearms/Dangerous Weapons.
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Original Release from February 10, 2022:
Deputies Respond to Shots Heard in Dishman Hills Natural Area
Spokane Valley Deputies, with the assistance of Washington State Patrol Troopers, responded to the Dishman Hills Natural Area regarding reports of someone shooting. Callers stated they heard several shots. One person was contacted who claimed to be with the person(s) involved in “target shooting”. The other person(s) were not located, nor was a firearm.
On February 10, 2022, at approximately 12:45 pm., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to reports of someone shooting in the Dishman Hills area south of the 8500 block of E. Appleway Avenue. Washington State Troopers had units in the area, and they aided in the search for the suspect(s).
Dishman Hills Natural Area is a protected natural area (530 acres) teaming with wildlife, dense trees, ponds, rocky hills with walking trails used by hikers and nature enthusiasts. Because of this, the area is designated as a No Shooting Area.
Due to the high potential of injury to unsuspecting people recreating in the area and the close proximity of homes, an extensive search to locate the person(s) responsible for the reckless behavior was conducted but was unsuccessful. However, Deputies believe they have information that may help identify the person(s) responsible as they continue to investigate.
Recklessly discharging a firearm is illegal, a gross misdemeanor, and potential additional charges depending on the incident.
Anyone with information regarding the person(s) involved in this incident is asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10016668.