DV Suspect Arrested for Misdemeanor DV Assault and Felony Assault after Spraying Neighbor in the Face with Mace/OC Spray
Spokane Valley Deputies located a DV suspect who previously fled an apartment prior to their arrival. The suspect returned to the apartment, instigated another argument, and confronted a male at his apartment complex, spraying him in the face with mace/OC. The suspect was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 3rd Degree and Assault 4th Degree (DV).
On March 25, 2023, at approximately 8:50 am, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a trouble unknown call at an apartment in the 12100 block of E. Mansfield. With very little information about what was happening, Deputies arrived and contacted an adult male and female.
At the time, this incident was believed to be an argument, and there was no evidence an assault had occurred.
On the same day, at approximately 11;15 am, Spokane Valley Deputies again responded to the apartment complex for an assault.
A male victim reported that the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Zachary J. Hawthorne, sprayed him in the face with mace/OC spray and that the assault was unprovoked. Hawthorne accused the victim of acting inappropriately with the suspect's wife just before spraying him.
Deputies noted the victim’s face was red, which appeared to be consistent with being sprayed.
Deputies contacted the victim from the original call, and she said she didn’t see Hawthorne spray the male in the face, but she did see Hawthorne holding a can of mace/OC after the altercation.
As Deputies spoke with her, they noted a bruise had formed around her eye, and swelling was present. The victim admitted Hawthorne had hit her twice, once during the previous argument and once during this incident.
Deputies searched for Hawthorne, who fled prior to their arrival, but he was not located. Deputy S. Ortiz developed probable cause to arrest Hawthorne for Assault 3rd Degree and Assault 4th Degree (DV).
On March 26, 2023, at approximately 9:25 am, Deputy B. Zlateff, who had responded with Deputy Ortiz to the previous calls, was responding to the apartment to conduct a follow-up. When he arrived in the area, he observed a male matching Hawthorne’s description walking on the side of E. Mansfield. Believing this was Hawthorne, he turned around to make contact. Deputy Zlateff informed Hawthorne of the reason for the contact, and Hawthorne did not want to identify himself. He was told he was not free to leave and that he was being detained. Deputy Vicini arrived to assist and stated he believed the male was Hawthorne. Deputy Zlateff confirmed Hawthorne’s identity by using a picture obtained on his mobile data computer.
Hawthorne was arrested and transported to the Spokane County Jail, where he was booked for Assault 3rd Degree and Assault 4th Degree.