Spokane Police officers and members of the Safe Streets Task force conducted an investigation that led to an arrest in the shooting that took place in the early morning of September 25th in the 3200 block of E. 5th Ave.
On Wednesday morning a little after 6:00 am SPD received multiple calls of a shot being fired and vehicle collisions in the 3200 block of E 5th. Callers reported multiple possibilities for what was happening stating that after what sounded like gunfire a vehicle chase involving a collision started form the location or as a car fled it struck numerous other parked cars. Around 7:00 am SPD received a call from a local hospital stating a patient had arrived at their facility with a recent gunshot wound. SPD responded and took a statement from the victim as well as responding to the scene to begin the investigation.
Members of the Safe Streets task force responded and took lead in the investigation eventually developing a suspect and his possible location (in the 3200 block of E. 5th.) A search warrant was obtained for the residence and a suspect. Due to the nature of the call and the criminal history of some of the people involved the SPD SWAT team responded to assist in the execution of the Search warrant, along with members of the Spokane Police Hostage Negotiators team. The service of the warrant developed into a short standoff with the suspect and others in the home.
Eventually seven people exited the home including the suspect who had attempted to evade police by locking himself in a second story bedroom. He eventually had to crawl out onto the roof and then down to the ground to be taken into custody.
Three people who exited the home were arrested for warrants unrelated to the shooting call.
Dustin Leonard (25yrs old) was charged with 1st degree assault and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
This investigation is continuing if anyone has further information relating to the crime please call crime check at 456-2233 reference Report number 2019-20183405.
Sergeant Terry Preuninger
Spokane Police Department
Communications & Public Information Office
Assistant Commander – Special Weapons & Tactics Team