Police Department

Man Arrested After Assaulting and Strangling Woman

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:40 p.m.

Suspect assaults and strangles victim before shooting out a window of her residence and fleeing the scene.

On February 23, 2021, around 2:30 a.m., SPD responded to a shooting call near the 4000 block of W. Rowan Avenue. The complainant told 911 that she had just witnessed a male shoot at the back window of an apartment in her complex and was worried a person inside may be hurt.

Officers arrived on scene and spoke with the complainant who told SPD the following:

She heard a gunshot and the sound of a window being smashed. She went out onto her balcony to see a male running away from the scene wearing a black hoodie with white lettering.  She went to the back of the building and saw a handgun magazine on the ground below the window from where the male fled.  She contacted the victim in the apartment who said she had been shot at. The complainant showed the victim security camera video of the incident.  The victim told her the man in the video was “Johnny” (later identified as 29-year-old John J. Felch).  The complainant then stood over the handgun magazine and waited for SPD to arrive.

An officer spoke with the victim who explained Felch had come to her apartment to talk.  The conversation resulted in Felch becoming angry and eventually assaulting and strangling her.  She was unaware why Felch stopped the assault or when he left the apartment.

A K-9 unit was called in to track from the apartment, ending at a residence in the 6000 block of N. Forrest Boulevard.  Officers saw a male matching Felch’s description in the front room window of the residence before he retreated further into the house.

SWAT was called and after several announcements Felch exited the residence without incident.

Felch is ineligible to possess firearms due in part to a drive by shooting conviction from 2013.

A search warrant was obtained and served at the residence. Officers found two firearms in a toilet tank, as well as the black hoodie with white lettering that could be seen in the surveillance video.  One of the firearms was missing the magazine, which was matched to the magazine found at the crime scene.  The second firearm reported back as stolen.  Upon further search of Felch’s residence, SPD found a holster which contained Felch’s wallet and identification.

Felch was booked into Spokane County Jail for Assault 2D, Malicious Mischief 3D, Reckless Endangerment, and two counts of Firearms Unlawful Possession 1D.

#2021-20029028

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