SIRR Team Investigating May 4, 2019, Officer Involved Shooting
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR) is investigating the Officer Involved Shooting involving Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies that occurred on May 4, 2019 at 2800 N. Cherry Street.
At approximately 5:25 p.m., Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the report of a disorderly male at an apartment complex located in the 2800 block of N. Cherry Street in Spokane Valley.
The caller stated the male, who appeared to be very high, was running in between children that were playing on the east side of the complex.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has now identified the male as 25-year-old Ethan A. Murray.
Two Deputies arrived at the location at 5:35 p.m. and attempted to contact Murray who ignored them as he walked away. Murray, who was now on the other side of the fence, failed to follow commands and ran toward the wooded area east of the complex. One of the Deputies caught up to Murray, near what appears to be a transient camp, where the altercation happened with Murray. Moments later the Deputy advised shots had been fired and requested medics.
The Deputies began life-saving measures until they were relieved by Spokane Valley Fire personnel. Despite everyone’s efforts, Murray was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
A backup Deputy, who was a short distance away and downhill heard the involved Deputy tell Murray numerous times to show his hands and that he didn’t want to hurt him. Murray yelled, “Fuck you” more than once and refused to comply with commands.
A citizen witness reported Murray appeared very high and put his hand on his waist. The witness heard a Deputy repeatedly say, “Put it down.” Murray did not comply and appeared to pull something out of his pocket before the Deputy fired his weapon.
The scene covered several acres and investigators are still processing collected evidence. No weapon has been found.
No other citizens or deputies were injured.
SIRR Team investigators are interested in speaking with any witnesses to this incident by contacting Crime Check at 509-456-2233, if they have not already spoken to law enforcement.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted. SIRR Team investigators responded to conduct the investigation and process the scene for evidence.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley Police Department.
• The Spokane Police Department is the case managing agency in this incident. All future communications regarding this investigation will be sent via the SIRR Team.
• The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will release the name of the Spokane Valley Deputy involved in the incident at a later time.
• Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
###
Officer John O’Brien
Spokane Police Department
Public Information Officer