News Flash

Deputy-Involved Shooting, Suspect in Custody After Lengthy Standoff 

Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team Investigating

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, while conducting surveillance of a 49-year-old male suspect with a warrant for two counts of Assault 2^nd Degree and probable cause for Robbery 2^nd Degree (DV) for his arrest, attempted to contact him at his residence in the 5500 block of S. Glenrose Road after he created a disturbance at a local grocery store.   With the desire to take him into custody due to his apparent escalating mental health condition and aggression, the decision was made to contact him before he could enter his home, and emergency backup was requested.  Shortly afterward, they advised shots had been fired.  SWAT Teams, Crisis Negotiators, Spokane Regional Air Support Unit, Rescue Task Force members, and a large amount of support from the Spokane Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, Spokane County Fire District 8, and other assets responded to assist.   

After a lengthy standoff, SWAT Team members entered the residence and encountered the suspect, who did not comply with commands despite being wounded.  Less-lethal chemical irritants were used, and eventually, the suspect exited the home but remained uncooperative, refusing to follow commands.   A Taser was deployed, and the suspect was taken into custody.  He was provided medical treatment before being transported to the hospital for additional treatment for serious but believed to be nonlife-threatening wounds. 

The Officer-Involved Protocol was enacted, and the Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team is responding to the scene to investigate this incident.

No uninvolved citizens, law enforcement, or first responders were injured during this incident.   

On April 13, 2023, continuing an investigation from an incident the night before, Spokane County Major Crimes Detectives developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for two counts of Assault 2^nd Degree and obtained a warrant for his arrest.  As the investigation continued, they also developed probable cause for an additional Robbery 2^nd Degree (DV) charge.    

The initial incident began on April 12, 2023, at approximately 11:35 pm., when Deputies responded to assist Mental Health Professionals who were trying to apprehend the suspect who had threatened to kill his mother and his reported declining mental health condition.    

Deputies were advised the suspect was known to possess a handgun and was paranoid/delusional.  Earlier in the evening (April 12^th), he was involved in an argument with his mother, which escalated to him threatening to “blow her head off”.

Deputies cautiously attempted to contact the suspect at the residence, but he didn’t believe they were Deputies as they spoke with him through a front window.  Working to calm the suspect’s concerns, one Deputy illuminated himself with a flashlight to show his uniform.  Instead of continuing to talk with Deputies, the suspect produced a black semiautomatic pistol and raised it toward Deputies.  The Deputies immediately moved to cover and a position of safety. 

With the victim at a safe location, no one else inside the house, and no indication the suspect had any intent to leave the home and harm anyone else, the decision was made to leave the suspect inside his home to de-escalate the situation and not force a potentially deadly encounter.  

Major Crimes Detectives continued their investigation, and an arrest warrant charging the suspect with two counts of Assault 2^nd Degree was obtained.  Additionally, probable cause to add a Robbery 2^nd Degree (DV) charge was established.  A search warrant for the residence was also granted.

A surveillance team was assigned to the residence, and later this evening, the suspect left the home in a vehicle.  Investigators followed the suspect to a local grocery store, where the suspect caused a disturbance and threatened to harm other victims.   With his escalating aggression and mental health condition worsening, the suspect was followed back to his home.   The decision was made to attempt to stop the suspect before he could enter the residence, where he could barricade or possibly arm himself.  

At approximately 6:15 pm, Investigators called for emergency backup.  Shortly afterward, they announced shots had been fired and again requested emergency assistance.  

During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect made it back inside his house, which was quickly surrounded.  The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, assisted by the Spokane Police Department’s SWAT Team, responded to try and take the suspect into custody.   Crisis Negotiation Team members, Rescue Task Force, Spokane Regional Air Support Unit’s Air-1, and Unmanned Aerial System operators were also called to the scene.  

After several hours and multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the suspect, SWAT Team members entered the home and slowly cleared portions of the house.  Eventually, the suspect was contacted, but he remained defiant despite being wounded.   Less-lethal chemical irritants were used, which were effective, causing the suspect to exit the residence.  He remained uncooperative and would not follow commands.  A Taser was effectively deployed, and he was taken into custody and provided medical aid for his wounds.  

The suspect was transported to the hospital with serious but believed to be non-life-threatening wounds.      

The Officer-Involved Protocol was enacted, and the Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team was called to conduct the investigation.  The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) was notified immediately, and they advised they would not be responding to the scene. 

The SIIR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, Liberty Lake Police Department, Airway Heights Police Department, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, and the Spokane Valley Police Department.

Once the SIIR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

In compliance with WAC 139-12, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police Department personnel will not be involved in this investigation.