Armed Suspect Fires Weapon Outside a Business – SIRR Team Investigating Deputy Involved Shooting
Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a male, armed with a pistol, attempting to enter a business which is not open to the public. Moments later, the caller reported the suspect was firing the weapon as Deputies arrived in the multi-business complex parking lot. Two Deputies fired their weapons at the armed suspect who was pronounced deceased at the scene. No citizens or Deputies were injured.
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Initial information indicates on August 16, 2019, at approximately 9:08 a.m., a caller reported an adult male known to him was attempting to get into a business located in the 10000 block of E. Knox in the Spokane Valley.
The caller/victim stated the business was not open to the public, and the doors were locked. The victim advised he had been told the suspect, who was the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s current girlfriend, was intoxicated and armed with a pistol on his hip.
Approximately four minutes later, the victim advised the suspect was hitting the window and then began firing his weapon as Deputies arrived in the area, also reporting possible shots fired.
Moments later, Deputies reported shots fired; the suspect was hit and requested medics.
At approximately 9:14 a.m., Deputies advised the suspect crashed his vehicle into a tree, which was located in the northeast corner of the complex parking lot.
Members of the Spokane Police Department SWAT Team, who happened to be training a short distance away, heard the call and began to respond to assist.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted, and SIRR Team investigators responded to conduct the investigation and process the scene for evidence.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the decedent at a later date when appropriate.
As per standard protocol, the two Deputies that fired their weapons were placed on paid administrative leaving pending the outcome of the investigation.
Montgomery, between Woodruff Rd. and Dartmouth Rd. will be closed for several hours as the SIRR Team investigation is conducted. Knox, east of Woodruff, is also closed.
Commuters should use an alternate route for the remained of the evening and possibly into the morning hours.
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 Deputies 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.
Corporal Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer