Deputies Work Together with Family to Help Man in Need
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies, responding to reported male who may be violent, worked with family members and each other to safely take him into protective custody, enabling him to get the help he needs.
On October 20, 2018, at approximately 6:10 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a male who was possibly assaulting a family member. The initial information indicated the male and the family member were locked in a bathroom. The male had a history of being combative with law enforcement and suffered from mental health issues.
Arriving Deputies were told no one had been assaulted but the family feared for their safety, as well as, the safety of the male who was now taking a shower. They expressed the male needed help and they believed he was suicidal/homicidal.
Deputy Mark Benner, Deputy Matt Gould, Deputy Chris Bylow, Deputy Evan Logan and Deputy Branden Carlos devised a plan to safely enter the residence and contact the male. Several announcements for the male to exit the bathroom, while advising he was not in trouble and the Deputies were there to help, went unanswered. With the bathroom door locked, Deputy Benner attempted to remove the door from its hinges but was unable to open the door. Believing the male was holding the door knob to keep it closed, Deputy Benner removed the door knob. After it was removed, the male sprayed a substance, believed to be hairspray, at the Deputies through the open hole in the door.
While Deputies continued to provide cover and less lethal options, Deputy Benner and Deputy Gould removed the door. The male backed up saying, he had a lighter and butane and would blow the Deputies up and light the house on fire. A Taser could not be deployed to safely end this intense situation because the male had soaked his clothing by standing in the shower.
The male lit a roll of toilet paper on fire and threw it down next to a mirror and picture on the floor near the doorway. As the frame began to ignite, a Deputy went outside to retrieve a fire extinguisher. When he returned, a family member holding a garden hose followed him. He put the fire out and then began to spray the male with the hose. Noticing the water seemed to keep the male stationary in the back corner of the bathroom, the Deputies had the family member step back, took control of the hose and continued to spray the male, telling him to put the butane down. This time, the male followed the commands and was taken into protective custody without further incident.
During the transport to a hospital to receive the help he desperately needed, the male stated he would find the Deputy and kill him when he was released. He also said he wanted to die and would start killing as many cops as he could.
Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer