Police Department

Two SPD Officers Assaulted While Working Bar Patrol

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 9:07 a.m.

On November 3, 2019, around 1:30 a.m., in the area of 200 N. Division Street, two subjects were acting disorderly in front of a downtown bar. One male, Falexy Olaitiman (21 yrs), was standing in a bladed stance with his clenched fists in front of him while cussing and arguing with the bar security team. Olaitiman had been kicked out of the bar earlier in the evening. Olaitiman’s behavior was drawing a crowd. Officers contacted Olaitiman, gave him commands but he did not comply.

Another officer was trying to assist bar security with contacting Emson Eukenio (22 yrs). Eukenio swung at the officer’s face. The officer was able to move his head to prevent being struck. The officer pushed Eukenio away and told him if he continued to be assaultive he would be arrested.

Eukenio then approached Olaitiman and told him not to comply with officers. Both subjects tried to walk away and refused to comply with commands to stop. They were told they were under arrest and both subjects ran to avoid detention.

Olaitiman ran towards an officer whose back was turned. Olaitiman punched the officer on the back. The pursuing officer took Olaitiman to the ground and had to struggle with him to take him into custody.

Officers heard people shouting and saw a large group of people running north on Division Street. Officers went to the area and saw Eukenio on top of an officer who had ended up on his back on the sidewalk. Eukenio was swinging both fists at the officer. A large group was surrounding the officers.

Attempts to pull Eukenio off of the officer were unsuccessful. A Taser was deployed to stop Eukenio’s assault against the officer. The technique had success and Eukenio was removed from being on top of the officer. After the Taser application, Eukenio placed both hands under his stomach near his waist band and refused to remove his hands even though two officers were trying to remove them.

After several instructions to comply and place his hands behind his back, Eukenio continued to resist and a second Taser application was used. This allowed officers to gain control of Eukenio’s arms and place him in handcuffs.

Both Olaitiman and Eukenio were taken into custody and transported to the Spokane County Jail.

Olaitiman was booked for Assault 3^rd Degree, Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Arrest.

Eukenio was booked for Assault 3^rd Degree (2 counts), Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Arrest.

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