UPDATE: Suspect Found Deceased Inside Residence
Members of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiation Team continued to try and persuade suspect Justin Robertson into surrendering peacefully after he released his 5-year-old son, uninjured. A short time later they lost contact with Justin, but they continued to try and reestablish communications without success.
After 6:00 p.m., SWAT Team members entered the residence and began a slow and methodical search of the residence. Despite their continued efforts to end this very volatile and dangerous situation peacefully, without anyone being injured, they located Justin deceased inside from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
We would like to thank the public, United States Marshal’s Office, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Fire Department and Spokane Valley Fire Department Helicopter Rescue Medics (HRM) and additional personnel from Spokane Valley Fire, Spokane County Sheriffs Forensic Unit, Spokane Regional Department of Emergency Management Personnel and Volunteers, Spokane County Sheriff’s Chaplains and Whitman County Department of Emergency Management for their assistance.
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UPDATE on Amber Alert and Abduction of 5-Year-Old
With the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Office and the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, suspect Justin. P. Robertson and his son Ethan Robertson were located at a residence near St. John, Washington. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiation Team, members of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Regional Air Support Unit including flight medics responded to the scene.
After several hours of Negotiator secured the safe release of Ethan to awaiting SWAT Team members. However, Justin did not surrender, and Negotiators continue to work toward a peaceful resolution which is always the desired goal.
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Estranged Husband Stabs Wife Abducts 5-Year-Old Son
Amber Alert Issued
Spokane Valley Deputies and Major Crimes Detectives are investigating the stabbing of an adult female and the abduction of her 5-year-old son, Ethan Robertson. The suspect, 41-year-old Justin P. Robertson, is the estranged husband of the victim and father of Ethan fled the scene in a red 2014 Subaru Legacy with Washington license plate APN2450.
** Justin Robertson should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who has seen Justin Robertson, Ethan Robertson or the 2014 Subaru Legacy WA APN2450 is urged to call 911 immediately. **
On April 23, 2019, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a panic alarm at a residence located in the 12800 block of E. Blossey in Spokane Valley.
Deputies arrived to find the side gate wide open. They knocked on the front door and heard a female inside screaming for help. With the front door locked, Deputies moved to the back of the residence and discovered the rear door wide open. Upon entering the home, they located the victim who was bleeding profusely from what appeared to be stab wounds.
The victim stated she had recently served Justin Robertson with divorce papers. She said this morning, Justin stabbed her and fled with their son Ethan.
The victim was transported to the hospital with serious but what is now believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Justin Robertson is believed to be driving a red 2014 Subaru Legacy with Washington license plates APN2450.
An Amber Alert has been issued as Deputies and Detectives work to ensure the safe return of Ethan Robertson.
If you have seen Justin Robertson, know of his location or have seen the red 2014 Subaru Legacy with Washington license plates APN2450, you are urged to call 911 or Crime Check (509-456-2233) immediately.
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Corporal Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer