Police Department

DOA 1600 South Riverton

Sgt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Friday, June 12, 2020 at 10:05 a.m.

Update 2/3/23:

This afternoon – Feb. 3, 2023, in Spokane Superior Court, Demetrius Cawthorne (28)  was sentenced to 12 years (144 months) in prison for second degree murder. Cawthorne killed Taurus Ogletree in July of 2020 and has been in custody since his arrest in August of 2020. Cawthorne still faces 3 additional charges related to the crime – unlawful possession of a firearm and 2 counts of witness tampering for which he will be sentenced at a later date. See previous media releases below.

Update:

Spokane Police serve a warrant for second degree murder and arrest the suspect without incident. 

Members of the Spokane Police Department Special Investigations Unit, One of the SPD Police Anti-Crime Teams, an SPD K9 team and Officers with the Spokane Police Department SWAT team surrounded a house in the 2700 block of East Everett after developing and confirming information that second degree murder suspect Demetrius Cawthorne (26) was in the home.  The warrant and charges stem from a homicide that occurred here in Spokane on June 12^th in the 1600 block of East South Riverton Street.  The original SPD press release is attached below.

The Officers and Detectives surrounded the residence and pulled an SPD armored vehicle and K9 team up to the sidewalk in front of the residence.  The Officers made an announcement into the house and almost immediately saw someone look out the door.  Police explained the situation and in less than sixty seconds the suspect came to the door with his hands raised and surrendered without incident.

The investigation is continuing.

Original Press Release: 

The Spokane Police Department Major Crimes Unit is on scene at the discovery of a deceased male in the 1600 block of E. South Riverton.

At 5:15 AM 911recieved a call of a man discovered lying face down on or near the river trail in the 1600 block of East South Riverton. The caller reported the male was not breathing.   Spokane City Fire Department personnel arrived and confirmed the male was deceased. The call was then transferred to police and SPD Patrol officers responded and determined the death did not appear to be natural. 

The SPD MCU was called out and is working the scene.  The Spokane County Medical Examiner will respond and release information pertaining to the deceased at a later time. 

South Riverton is closed for three blocks in that area, and will remain closed for at least a few hours. 

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