The Spokane Investigative Regional Response (SIRR) Team is investigating a Spokane Police Department (SPD) officer-involved shooting that occurred during the early morning hours of October 12th, 2015 at a residence located in the 4100 block of East Longfellow.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Jason M. Smith, is accused of intentionally ramming into two SPD patrol vehicles while refusing to follow commands as he drove toward the responding officers. Three SPD officers fired their duty pistols, striking Smith. Smith is charged with Unlawful Imprisonment-DV, Assault 4th Degree-DV, and three counts of Assault 2nd Degree.
The incident began when Smith called 911 at 00:16 a.m., and reported he thought his dad was trying to kill himself. Smith mentioned there were firearms inside the residence and he wanted to go to jail for warrants. Smith stated he didn’t mean to call 911 prior to hanging up.
Smith’s father called 911 and reported Smith was intoxicated and damaging the house. He said Smith slammed him to the ground and drug him across the floor.
When the officers arrived at the location a couple of minutes later, they observed Smith sitting in his vehicle in the driveway. One officer parked his patrol car in the driveway in front of Smith’s vehicle and a second patrol car parked behind as the officers began yelling commands for Smith to stop.
Smith drove his vehicle forward, striking the first patrol car. He continued to accelerate and pushed the patrol vehicle into the second patrol vehicle as he drove toward the officers and failed to follow commands.
Three of the officers fired their duty pistols, striking Smith, causing him to stop accelerating toward them. Smith exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. The officers at the scene, including an EMT certified SWAT officer, immediately rendered medical aid to address Smith’s wounds.
Smith was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening wounds.
No other citizens or officers were injured during this incident.
This continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. SIRR detectives and Spokane County Forensic Unit Technicians will continue to process evidence, interview witnesses and interview the officers involved with this incident.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in Eastern Washington, including the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police Department, and Airway Heights Police Department.
• The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is the managing agency in this incident and all future release of information regarding this incident will be sent via the SIRR Team.
• The Spokane Police Department will release the name 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.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer