Police Department

SPD Investigating Fatal Shooting in East Central Neighborhood

Cpl. Nick Briggs, PIO

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 9:21 a.m.

Update12/22/23:

Two suspects arrested for 1^st Degree Murder in 2022 shooting investigation

In the early morning hours of New Years Eve 2022, SPD responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of E 7^th Ave. The victim, later identified by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office as 42-year-old Carlos Thomas, was shot multiple times while inside a vehicle at the location.

SPD’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) conducted an exhaustive investigation which included collection and analysis of physical and digital evidence, extensive witnesses interviews, and pursuing multiple leads. After nearly a year, detectives were able to establish probable cause to arrest 27-year-old Takao R Bay, and 30-year-old Elijiah Harvey for 1^st Degree Murder. Additionally, Harvey has been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. Harvey is believed to have shot Thomas, while Bay’s arrest stems from information he was an accomplice.  Both Harvey and Bay were in-custody on unrelated charges at the time of their arrests yesterday – 12/20/23.

The investigation is on-going, and additional charges are possible. The information available to investigators suggests the victim and suspects were known to each other, and this was a targeted attack.  

Harvey’s criminal history includes felony convictions for theft, assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Bay has four felony convictions which include possession of a stolen motor vehicle and attempting to elude a police vehicle.

Both remain in Spokane County Jail at the writing of this release.

Original Release:

On 12-31-2022, just after 1:30AM, SPD patrol officers responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of E 7th Ave. One adult male was fatally wounded.

The Spokane Police Department's Major Crimes Unit (MCU) is investigating. Anyone with information about this incident, who has not yet spoken with investigators, is urged to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233.

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