Police Department

SPD Responds To Multiple Priority Incidents Yesterday Afternoon

Cpl. Nick Briggs, PIO

Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 3:25 p.m.

SPD responds to multiple significant incidents Wednesday afternoon

During the afternoon/early evening hours of 04-05-2023, SPD units responded to multiple simultaneously-occurring priority incidents.

Just before 2:30PM, SPD responded to a person-with-a-weapon call in the 3000 block of E 30^th Ave. The complainant reported a male acting erratically; he was in a garage screaming and smashing items. Additionally, the male was reportedly armed with a large knife and was slashing the walls of the structure.

Officers attempted contact with the individual who was not cooperative. During the interaction, the subject made numerous threats including to light the structure on fire and to kill law enforcement officers.

Probable cause to arrest the subject was established. It was also learned the individual was likely under the influence of illicit drugs and suffering from mental health issues.

In order to keep the community, officers, and the subject safe, resources from specialty units were utilized including SPD’s SWAT team and Negotiators. For several hours negotiators talked to the subject using multiple means of communication and offering a wide variety of resources. Just before 5:30PM the subject abruptly exited the garage and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Just before 3PM, SPD received a call from the 2900 block of E Hartson Ave (Underhill Park) for a shooting. Officers responded to the area and located evidence of a shooting, but did not locate anyone injured on scene. A few minutes later, a victim was dropped off at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. The injury is believed to be non-life-threatening and the investigation is on-going.

As officers continued to investigate the previous two incidents, across town officers responded to a serious injury collision at Wellesley Ave and N Ash St. A motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries when they collided with a vehicle in the intersection. The initial investigation showed the driver of a van failed to yield when making a left turn. The van driver did not show signs of impairment, and was issued an infraction for failure to yield the right-of-way. Collision investigators continue to investigate the incident.

A few minutes before 7PM, Officers responded to a business in the 2600 block of N. Hamilton St. Employees reported that the establishment had been robbed at gunpoint and a lone suspect had fled. Multiple officers and a K-9 unit responded to the area. While the suspect was not immediately located, officers were able to obtain information of evidentiary value and the investigation is on-going.

Including these four incidents, there were 169 calls for service within the City of Spokane between 2PM and 7PM.

• Newer
• Older