SIRR Team Investigating January 7, 2019, Officer Involved Shooting
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR) is investigating the Officer Involved Shooting Incident involving a Spokane Police Officer that occurred on January 7th in the city of Spokane.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., Spokane Police Officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of West Montgomery. The caller stated a neighbor was outside shooting at her/others inside the residence. She provided a description of the adult white male suspect, later identified as 35-year-old David M. Novak.  Â
Spokane Police Officers arrived in the area within minutes and soon after at least one Officer advised dispatch of hearing a gunshot, possibly from a shotgun. Moments later, Officers confronted Novak who was by a pickup truck parked in the driveway of his residence and advised, via the radio, “shots fired”.
Radio traffic from the Officers at the scene indicated they believed Novak had a firearm but it was unknown if he dropped it prior to retreating into his residence. Not knowing if Novak was injured or armed, Officers continued to give commands while other Officers evacuated neighboring residences or advised citizens to shelter in place for their safety.
With additional Officers and equipment on scene, Officers approached Novak’s residence with the aid of an Armored Tactical Rescue Vehicle. They observed Novak, who did not appear to be moving, lying on the ground near the doorway. Officers, along with Spokane Fire Department’s Rescue Task Force medics, approached the home and immediately began life-saving efforts. Despite these efforts, Novak was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted. The SIRR Team responded to the scene to conduct an investigation and process the scene for evidence.
The victims of the residence, where the original 911 call was placed, stated Novak, who appeared intoxicated, walked over and contacted them while they stood outside in front of the residence. As they talked, Novak began using racial slurs toward the three men and stated several times he was a “KKK’ member. Novak grabbed one of the victims and brought his other arm back as if he intended to punch the male. The victim broke free of the Novak’s grasp and told him to leave the property. Novak walked back toward his residence threatening he was going to shoot/kill the men, while using additional racial slurs. The victims went inside, armed themselves, and called 911.
SIRR Investigators located a silver and black aluminum baseball bat near the pickup truck where Novak was contacted. The vehicle appeared to have damage consistent to being struck several times with a bat. A firearm was not recovered from the scene.
Investigators continue to interview witness and involved Officers as they work to determine the facts of what occurred, leading up to this fatal encounter. SIRR Team members are asking anyone who may have heard, witnessed, or may have security video of this incident, to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 if they have not been contacted by investigators.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol, the Spokane Valley Police Department, the Airway Heights Police Department and the Spokane Police Department.
- The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is the managing agency in this incident. All future communications on this incident will be sent via the SIRR Team.
- The Spokane Police Department will release the names of the officers involved in this incident.
- Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
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Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer