Police Department

Downtown Death Investigation

Cpl. Nick Briggs, PIO

Monday, August 28, 2023 at 8:40 a.m.

Update 9/3/23:

Suspect arrested for 1^st degree Murder in downtown stabbing

On 9-2-23, SPD patrol officers and Major Crimes Unit (MCU) detectives arrested 46-year-old Steven P. White for Murder 1^st Degree. White was taken into custody without incident near Howard St and Sprague Ave in Downtown Spokane.

The arrest stems from the August 26^th killing of 44-year-old Shan Anderson. Anderson was found near the Wall St. viaduct (Wall St. near W. Railroad Ave) after midnight on 8-27, suffering from what appeared to be multiple traumatic injuries. Anderson was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Major Crimes Unit detectives immediately began investigating. Detectives were able to identify and recover multiple pieces of evidence, including video footage. The footage showed a seemingly unprovoked assault. Anderson is observed lying down, possibly asleep, when the suspect approaches and stabs him multiple times.

The Medical Examiner’s evaluation confirmed Anderson had been stabbed over a dozen times.  

White is a 24-time convicted felon, with criminal history that includes residential burglary, riot with a deadly weapon, robbery, assault, and theft. At the time of the incident, White had an active arrest warrant, issued by the Department of Corrections, for failing to comply with his community custody requirements.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Adult male found deceased downtown, investigation on-going

SPD’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) is conducting a death investigation after an adult male was found deceased near Wall St. and W Railroad Ave. in downtown Spokane. 

SPD patrol officers found the male just after 1AM on 8-27 and noted the deceased had apparent traumatic injuries. 

The investigation is on-going. The identity of the deceased along with the cause and manner of death will be determined and released by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office at a later date. 

If you have information regarding this incident, and have not yet spoken with investigators, you’re asked to call crime check at 509-456-2233 reference incident 2023-20170522. 

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