Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 2:16 p.m.
Update:
SIRR investigation has been completed and forwarded to Prosecutor for review.
SIRR Detectives have completed their investigation of the Officer Involved Shooting that occurred on August 16, 2019 in the area of 10000 E. Knox Ave. The Spokane Valley Police Department was the involved agency. This case has been forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Original release:
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR) is investigating the Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) Incident involving Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies that occurred on August 16, 2019, in the Spokane Valley.
At approximately 9:08 a.m., the complainant called 911 from his place of employment. The caller reported a man known to him was trying to enter the locked business, located in the 10000 block of East Knox Avenue, which was not open to the public.
It was reported the suspect was the ex-boyfriend of the caller’s current girlfriend. The suspect was said to have been intoxicated and armed with a pistol on his hip.
At approximately 9:12 a.m., the caller reported the suspect was striking the windows of the business and then began firing his weapon as Deputies were arriving on scene. Those deputies also reported hearing the shots being fired.
Moments later, Deputies reported they had fired shots and the suspect had been hit. Medics were immediately requested.
Around 9:14 a.m., the suspect drove his vehicle through the parking lot before crashing into a tree at the northeast corner of the business complex parking lot.
Members of the Spokane Police Department SWAT Team, who happened to be training a short distance away, heard the call and began to respond to assist. No Spokane Police Department Officers were involved in the OIS.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other citizens or officers were injured.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted, and SIRR Team investigators responded to conduct the investigation and process the scene for evidence.
A firearm was recovered at the scene.
As per standard protocol, the two Deputies that fired their weapons were placed on paid administrative leaving pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the decedent at a later date when appropriate.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol, and the Spokane Valley Police Department.
