Police Department

SPD Releases Names of Officers Involved in 5/2/16 Shooting on Sunset

Ofc. Teresa Fuller

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 5:29 p.m.

The Spokane Police Department is releasing the names of the officers involved in the May 2, 2016 OIS incident involving a male in the 2700 block of west Sunset Blvd. Ofc.’s Stephen Anderson and Shane Phillips responded to the scene on what originally came in as a domestic violence call and encountered a male armed with a firearm. Ofc. Phillips fired his firearm striking Aaron D. Johnson (32). While later processing the scene for evidence, SIRR Investigators recovered the firearm and upon closer inspection determined it was a replica. Johnson will be charged with 3rd Degree Assault reference this incident.

The involved officers have a combined 10 years of experience as officers with SPD and other agencies. 

Prior to his time as a Spokane Police Officer, Officer Shane Phillips was a reserve officer for both Cheney and Spokane Police Departments. He was also an officer with Milton Freewater Police Department in Oregon for over 3 years. 

He has been a Spokane Police Officer since December of 2013. He has completed both Basic Critical Incident Training (CIT) and Enhanced CIT Training.

Officer Phillips has received the following award:

•October, 2014 he received the Lifesaving Award for saving the life of the teenage gunshot wound victim

Officer Phillips has been involved in one other Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) incident in 2015. The use of force in this incident was determined to be justified by the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office.

Prior to his time as a Spokane Police Officer, Officer Stephen Anderson was an officer for Baltimore City Police Department. During his time at BPD, he spent one year on patrol, 2 years in the drug unit, and 6 months working in the East District Violent Crime Initiative working with at risk youth from the inner city. 

He has been a Spokane Police Officer since October of 2015.

In December of 2015, Ofc. Anderson received a letter of commendation from a citizen who had been suicidal and was grateful for the response of officers, including Ofc. Anderson, and the respect they showed her during a very difficult time.

Related Photos

• Officer Phillips
• Officer Anderson

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