Deputy Responding to Reported Armed Suicidal Male Involved in Shooting – SIRR Team Investigating – North Spokane County
Late this afternoon, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the report of an armed suicidal male at the scene of a one vehicle crash. The first Deputy to arrive made contact with the male and attempted to deescalate the situation. The male produced a handgun, causing the Deputy to fire striking the male, who was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
On August 3, 2018, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 37000 block of North Sherman Road for a report of a male at a one vehicle crash who was agitated and armed with a gun. Responding Deputies received additional information the male had hit mailboxes with his vehicle, appeared intoxicated, and held a gun to his head stating he wanted to kill himself.
The first Deputy arrived at the scene within minutes, contacted the male and attempted to deescalate the extremely tense scene. Moments later, the male produced a handgun from his waistband area and brought it up toward the Deputy’s position. The Deputy fired his weapon, striking the male.
The Deputy requested immediate medical response and began lifesaving medical attention but the male was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
No Citizens or Deputies were injured during this incident. The involved Deputy was placed on administrative leave as per policy.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted and 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, Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the 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 Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the decedent at a later date, when appropriate to do so.
• The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will release the name of the 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.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer