Police Department

SIIR Investigating Officer Involved Shooting

Sgt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 2:15 p.m.

The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team is investigating an Officer Involved Shooting that took place on November 22, around 7:00 PM in Spokane Valley. The incident involved members of the Spokane Valley Police Department.

The following information is based on preliminary statements and evidence collected in the first 24 hours of the investigation.

At approximately 6:45 PM on November 22, 2020 a Spokane Valley Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near Valleyway and Mullan in Spokane Valley.

Prior to the initiation of the traffic stop, the deputy observed the vehicle being driven recklessly, and in a dangerous manner. The driver failed to yield to the Deputy and a pursuit was initiated. The driver fled and continued his reckless behavior, exceeding the speed limit, driving on arterials and in residential neighborhoods, hitting parked cars and driving into opposing lanes of travel. Other Deputies responded to assist in stopping the suspect.

At Sprague and University, a Deputy attempted legal intervention / a forcible stop with his vehicle. Using his fully marked patrol vehicle, he attempted to immobilize the suspect’s car. The patrol car and the suspect’s car both sustained damage, however the suspects’ vehicle was still drivable. The suspect then drove at a marked car and two Deputies. One of the Deputies fired his sidearm and struck the suspect, this stopped the suspect’s actions. The Deputies were not injured. They immediately provided medical aid to the suspect, but he succumbed to his injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation.

The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR Team) is investigating this incident.

This is preliminary information based on initial reports of the incident and evidence examined to date.

The SIIR Team is comprised of the Washington State Patrol, the Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and other member agencies.

The lead investigating agency in this investigation is the Spokane Police Department. The Washington State Patrol is assisting them.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office will conduct a separate and concurrent investigation, as is their protocol.

The Spokane Police Department is the managing agency in this incident. All communications regarding this incident will be sent via the SIIR Team.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office will release the name of the Deputy involved in this incident.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the decedent’s name at a later time, when appropriate.

Once the SIIR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

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