Police Department

Five Drive-By Shootings in Three Days

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager, 509.625.5868

Friday, October 1, 2021 at 3:16 p.m.

Update 11/5/21:

SPD obtains warrants stemming from drive-by shooting in the Gonzaga area

The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force has identified two suspects in a drive-by shooting that occurred on September 28^th. The shooting sent two males to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Daly M. Tom – 25 years old and Tustuji M. Wakauwn -42 years old are currently in jail on unrelated federal charges.

SPD detectives with the task force developed probable cause to arrest the suspects; because they are already in jail, warrants were issued on both for 1^st degree assault and drive-by shooting.  Additionally, Wakauwn faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm because his criminal history precludes him from lawfully having a gun.

The shootings are not believed to be random. Tom is in the Spokane County Jail. Wakauwn is in the Benton Franklin County Jail.

Original Release 9/30/21:

Series of drive-by shootings appear mostly unrelated and NOT random

Spokane Police have responded to 5 drive-by shootings in the past 3 days. The majority appear unrelated to each other or to previous drive-by shootings. SPD is investigating possible gang connections in some incidents.

The first shooting took place Tuesday September 28^th in the Gonzaga District around 6:30 in the evening. Two males were shot and treated at an area hospital for minor, non-life threatening injuries. SPD believes this was not a random incident, rather a dispute between the occupants of two vehicles near Mission and Addison. The major crimes investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Check at 456-2233.

The second shooting happened yesterday at a home in the 4400 block of North Lincoln at around 1:30 in the afternoon. Several neighbors reported hearing multiple gun shots and seeing an SUV leave the area. No one in the home was hit but police observed 5 bullet holes in a vehicle parked outside the house. Investigators believe this shooting was targeted. The suspect remains outstanding.

This morning police officers responded to 3 drive-by shootings. At about 5:30 officers arrived at Pittsburg and Liberty after a call referencing gun shots in the area. Officers located shell casings at the site and determined an occupied vehicle was the target of the shooting. About an hour later multiple callers reported hearing gun shots and hearing a vehicle speed away in the 1600 block of East Bridgeport. It appears the suspect returned to the location 5 minutes later and fired more shots. Officers found bullet holes in a home and located shell casings. The same suspect and suspect vehicle have been identified in these shootings. The vehicle has been located. Police believe this was a targeted shooting.

During the same timeframe this morning - shortly after 6:00- 911 also received multiple calls about a drive-by shooting in the 2000 block of West Mallon. Responding officers found a shell casing in the road and 3 bullet holes in an apartment building. No one was hurt and a male in the apartment that was hit doesn’t believe he was the intended target.

Investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses in all cases. While each case appears to be targeted with no ongoing threat to the public, the chance of innocent bystanders becoming victims exists. Identifying suspects in the drive-by shootings and getting dangerous people off the streets is a high priority for SPD. In solving these crimes it is extremely valuable for anyone with information to come forward.

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