Armed Uncooperative Suspect Safely Arrested Following Hours-Long Standoff
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators successfully took an armed suspect into custody, concluding a multi-hour standoff. During the incident, the suspect reportedly confronted the victims who had car problems on Bigelow Gulch. The confrontation escalated with the suspect reportedly pointing a firearm at the victims and later, firing a round in an unknown direction.
On August 12, 2022, at approximately 5:00 pm., a caller reported seeing a male, later identified as 57-year-old Raymond C Schulte, pointing a handgun at three adult male victims working on a car on Bigelow Gulch Road, near Lehman Road.
Arriving Deputies were told the victims were confronted by Schulte. The situation escalated when Schulte pointed a pistol at them and, at some point, fired a round. None of the victims were injured.
Deputies attempted to speak with Schulte, but he refused, telling them to leave. With Schulte armed and with his violent actions, Bigelow Gulch was closed for the safety of motorists, and a safety perimeter was established.
With continuing efforts to deescalate the standoff and get Raymond to surrender peacefully, the SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiators, members of the Spokane County Fire District 9 Rescue Task Force and the Spokane Police Department were called to the scene to assist, and a search warrant was sought.
With a valid search warrant, efforts to deescalate this tense and dangerous situation continued.
At approximately 8:15 pm, Crisis Negotiators successfully coaxed Schulte into surrendering to Swat Team members peacefully.
Schulte is expected to be transported and booked to the Spokane County Jail for three counts of Assault 2nd Degree.
The investigation continues as the search warrant will be served and evidence collected.
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