Spokane – Update** As the situation began to deteriorate this afternoon, the suspect shot and disabled two UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems-Drones). Several PA announcements advising the suspect to surrender peacefully throughout the incident were unsuccessful, and multiple calls to his phone went unanswered. Information was gained that the suspect was armed and possibly had several handguns/rifles.
The suspect fired shots multiple times from inside the home, and a fire was observed on the second floor. The suspect was seen moving around the house, wearing a gas mask and holding a handgun.
A few minutes later, he went into the garage, gained access to a vehicle in an apparent attempt to flee, but then decided to run toward the backyard. Not wanting the suspect to break containment for the safety of the community and Deputies, he was confronted by SWAT Team members, and shots were fired. As soon as the scene was safe, the suspect was provided medical aid, but unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
As the incident continued, Deputies contacted homes in the area and noted what appeared to be several recent bullet holes. Thankfully, none of the residents in the area were injured.
This incident began on November 14, 2022, at approximately 11:00 pm, when the suspect’s neighbors reported hearing gunshots, and after checking their residence, they located what appeared to be two bullet holes.
Deputies arrived, attempted to contact the suspect, and established the perimeter. Continued attempts to get the adult male suspect to surrender were unsuccessful.
The SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiators, Spokane Valley Fire Rescue Task Force members, Mental Health Co-Responder Units, Spokane Regional Air Support Unit members, Spokane Valley Fire Department, and AMR were called to the scene. Spokane Police Department SWAT Team members assisted in a support role as this hours-long standoff continued.
Throughout the incident, PA systems gave warning announcements advising the suspect to surrender peacefully. Deputies reported sporadically hearing noises, believed to be gunshots coming from inside the home.
At approximately 3:10 am, a signed search warrant for the suspect’s home was obtained.
At approximately 5:30 am, the Central Valley School District was advised of this dangerous situation and that the Command Post for the incident was at the elementary school. Central School District Officials determined for the safety of students in the area and staff, the opening of the elementary school would be delayed by at least two hours. We continued to provide updates, and administrators determined that the school would be closed for the day due to continued safety concerns.
Deputies had already contacted the neighbors near the suspect’s home, advising them of the threat and requesting they evacuate or shelter in place. As the situation escalated and the suspect continued to fire multiple shots, with Deputies noting new bullet holes in the suspect’s residence and homes in the area, a WEA Alert was requested advising people living in the broader area of the threat at approximately 6:25 am.
At approximately 7:25 am, Deputies reported a possible fire on the second floor. A few minutes later, what appeared to be water was dripping from the ceiling (second floor) into the garage, but no flames were observed.
At approximately 9:20 am, the suspect shot one of the UASs deployed by team members. At approximately 10:00 am, the suspect was observed with what was believed to be a gun in his hand. Roughly a half hour later, he was again seen with what appeared to be a gun in his hand and now appeared to be wearing a gas mask. SWAT Team members had deployed chemical irritants into the home by this time.
At approximately 10:40 am, a second UAS was shot by the suspect, and a few minutes later, he was again observed wearing what was believed to be a gas mask and putting shoes on. At approximately 10:50 am, a fire was observed inside the home on the second floor, and flames/smoke were visible outside within minutes. Just before 11:00 am, the suspect tried to extinguish the fire while continuing to fire multiple shots.
At approximately 11:05 am, the suspect was observed entering the garage and moving toward a vehicle parked at the home. Team members quickly devised a plan to ensure the safety of the public and first responders at the scene to stop the suspect if he attempted to flee in the car. Suddenly, the suspect ran from the vehicle toward the backyard, where he was confronted by SWAT Team members who advised shots had been fired and the suspect was down. As soon as the immediate scene was safe, Deputies provided medical aid, assisted by RTF members.
The Officer-Involved Protocol was enacted, and the Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team is on-scene investigating the incident. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) was notified immediately, and they advised they would not be responding to the scene.
Spokane Valley Fire Fighters attacked the flames but, once inside, advised they found wires and potential explosive-making material throughout the residence and pulled their crews out of the house. No visible flames were observed at this time, and firefighters continued their efforts from outside the home.
Members of the Explosive Disposal Unit were called back to the scene to ensure the location was safe for investigators. Just before 5:00 pm, they determined the home was safe, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted.
The SIIR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, Liberty Lake Police Department, Airway Heights Police Department, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Spokane Valley Police Department.
• The Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team is investigating this Deputy-Involved shooting.
• The Washington State Patrol is the case managing agency in this incident. All future communications regarding this incident will be sent via the SIIR Team.
• The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will release the names of the Deputies involved in this incident at a later time.
• The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the decedent’s name when appropriate.
Once the SIIR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
In compliance with WAC 139-12, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police Department personnel will not be involved in this investigation.
Origin story (Tuesday, November 15)
Spokane – SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators Attempt to Coax an Armed Barricaded Suspect in Crisis to Surrender Peacefully
SWAT Team members and Crisis Negotiators continue their efforts to get an armed barricaded suspect, who appears to be suffering from a mental crisis, to surrender peacefully. The suspect is armed and has fired several shots from the home during this incident. Please avoid the area.
This incident is taking place in the 18600 block of E. Lindsay Lane and 11th Avenue, between S. Barker Road and S. Greenacres Road is closed. Please stay out of the area.
The start time for Greenacres Elementary has been delayed for at least two hours, but that continues to be evaluated as we diligently work with our community partners at the Central Valley School District Officials.
This incident began on November 14, 2022, at approximately 11:00 pm, when the suspect’s neighbors reported hearing gunshots, and after checking their residence, they located what appeared to be two bullet holes.
Deputies arrived, attempted to contact the suspect, and established the perimeter. Continued attempts to contact the adult male suspect have been unsuccessful.
The SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiators, Mental Health Co-Responder Units, Spokane Regional Air Support Unit members, Spokane Valley Fire Department, and AMR were called to the scene.
The suspect has fired a weapon multiple times while continued attempts to make contact with the suspect have been unsuccessful.
We continue to work with and advise Central School District Officials with updates as this erratic and dangerous incident continues.
This incident is taking place in the 18600 block of E. Lindsay Lane and 11th Avenue, between S. Barker Road and S. Greenacres Road is closed. Please stay out of the area.