Police Department

SPD SWAT arrests one after standoff in downtown Spokane

Cpl N. Briggs #1177

Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 6:11 a.m.

SPD SWAT arrests one after standoff in downtown Spokane

 

On 10-4-19 a little after 7PM, SPD was notified of a firearm being discharged within a large apartment building at 240 W Sprague Ave in downtown Spokane. Initial information was that a tenant may have accidentally discharged a gun inside a communal area of the building.

 

SPD Patrol officers arrived and began investigating. It was quickly learned that the subject suspected of shooting the firearm, 59-year-old Michael Handsome, was inside his apartment. A records check showed Handsome was a convicted felon with criminal history in multiple states which precluded him from legally possessing a firearm.

 

Attempts to negotiate with Handsome and get him to peacefully surrender to police were initially unsuccessful as Handsome refused to comply. Due to the serious and potentially dangerous nature of the criminal investigation (felony unlawful possession of a firearm), and the heightened risk to the community due to the occupied apartment building setting, additional resources in the form of SPD’s SWAT team and Hostage Negotiators were utilized.

 

A search warrant was obtained for Handsome’s apartment. A little before midnight continued communication attempts yielded a peaceful surrender as Handsome was taken into custody without incident. The warrant was executed on Handsome’s apartment and a firearm along with other evidence was collected.

 

Handsome was booked into Spokane County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm 1^st, and reckless endangerment.

 

SPD would like to thank the tenants of 240 W Sprague for their cooperation; during the incident many residents were displaced as apartments were evacuated to ensure public safety.

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