Police Department

Reported Road Rage Shooting, Isn't What It Appeared

Sgt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Friday, May 8, 2020 at 4:56 p.m.

Spokane Police respond to an alleged road rage shooting on HWY 195 and determine that the alleged victim had actually shot himself in the leg at his home.

On May 04, 2020 at approximately 1630 hours, SPD responded to a reported shooting near Hwy 195 at 16th Ave. The complainant, John Lizee (63), reported that he was involved in a road-rage incident with a black Acura Integra sedan and that a Hispanic male had confronted him and shot him in the leg.

Medics treated Lizee, who had suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg.  Officers noticed a lack of blood in and around Lizee’s vehicle and there were no bullet holes in the vehicle.    Officers noted there was no blood anywhere around the car.  Medics removed Lizee’s left shoe to cut away his jeans, there was no blood in his shoe.  There was also no blood on Lizee’s hands.

Between the time that the call came in and SPD arrived on scene, there had been no witness callers reporting the shooting, despite it occuring during heavy traffic on a Monday in broad daylight. SPD officers spoke to Lizee’s neighbors who reported hearing what sounded like a gunshot coming from Lizee’s residence, followed by seeing Lizee leaving the house about 15 minutes after the gunshot sound.

Lizee’s criminal history includes convictions for 1st degree burglary and 2nd degree assault, both felonies that would make it unlawful for him to possess a firearm or ammunition.  As a part of the investigation SPD executed a search warrant on Lizee’s residence.  Inside the house, SPD located what appeared to be blood droplets on the master bedspread, a partially empty box of 9mm ammunition, and 3 empty holsters. There was a brown recliner in the TV room adjacent to the master bedroom which had a bullet hole that appeared to go from the inside of the left arm, to the outside of the left side of the chair. To the left of the chair, on the adjacent wall sitting on top of a baseboard heater was a 9mm bullet that appeared to have been fired and matched the rounds in the box of ammunition. No firearms were located in the house. Photographs were taken of the blood and damaged recliner.

Based on the aforementioned evidence, and John Lizee’s criminal history, it was established there was probable cause to arrest John Lizee for 1st degree unlawful possession of a firearm and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.  He was also charged with false reporting.  

2020-20073870

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