Suspect Arrested for Assault 2nd Degree and Felony Harassment
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a disturbance/possible person with a weapon call. Multiple Deputies arrived and quickly gained control of the situation. An adult male was arrested for Assault 2nd Degree, Harassment, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on School Premises. The victim received treatment at the scene and was not transported.
On August 9, 2022, at approximately 5:05 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the University High School parking lot, 12410 E. 32nd, for a disturbance/possible person with a weapon call.
The caller, identified as 55-year-old Tyrone B. Horton, stated he received text messages from his ex-girlfriend that she was at the school with her current girlfriend (later victim), needed help, and thought her girlfriend was going to kill her. Horton also advised he was armed and responding to the location.
A short time later, several additional calls were received from witnesses at the school stating a male (Horton) was assaulting a female, had a gun, and was pointing it at the female.
Multiple Deputies arrived, deescalated the situation, and detained Horton.
Witnesses stated in varying degrees, depending on what they observed, that Horton struck the victim, slammed her to the ground, and pointed a pistol at her head while threatening to kill the victim.
The victim said Horton arrived and confronted her, displaying what she believed was a gun in his front waistband. Horton hit her in the face and pushed her several times until she fell to the ground. Horton sat on her and placed the pistol to the side of her head, telling her not to threaten his kids and to stay away from his ex-girlfriend/children. During the assault, she stated Horton pulled her hair and tried to throw her to the ground again. He tried to stop her from leaving, and she was in fear for her life.
Horton was cooperative and agreed to answer questions after being advised of his rights. He explained he received text messages from his ex-girlfriend stating her current girlfriend was going to kill her. He drove to the location, and as he approached the victim, she placed her hand in her pocket leading him to believe she had a weapon. He drew his pistol and pushed the victim down, yelling she better not have anything in her hand. He denied putting the gun to the victim’s head. He provided access to the text messages and gave consent for Deputies to recover the Smith and Wesson pistol from his vehicle.
As the investigation continued and from information obtained from witnesses and involved parties, Deputies developed probable cause to arrest Horton for Assault 2nd Degree, Harassment, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on School Premises.
Horton was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for the listed charges. The victim received medical treatment at the scene and was released. No one else was injured or charged with a crime.
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