Police Department

Second Suspect in Drive-By Shooting Arrested

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager, 509.625.5868

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:53 a.m.

Second suspect in a drive-by shooting last May arrested in Idaho

After months of follow-up on a drive-by shooting at 6^th and Division on 5/18/23 , SPD’s Major Crimes Unit developed probable cause to arrest a second suspect in the shooting.  SPD Detectives had a warrant signed by a Superior Court Judge on 1/11/24, and it was only hours later that Idaho State Police picked up 42-year-old Lori M. Thom where she was booked into the Bonneville County Jail. Thom is charged with Attempted 1^st Degree Murder and Assault 1^st Degree in relation to the shooting at 6^th and Division, and with Criminal Conspiracy in relation to an incident in August of 2022 in King County involving a different victim. Thom faces extradition to Spokane for the charges related to the May shooting.

The other suspect in the drive-by shooting is Thom’s fiancé, 41-year-old Benjamin J. Hill, who was arrested most recently on 10/20/23 at a home in South Spokane. He is being held on charges of Attempted 1^st Degree Murder- DV, Assault 1^st Degree- DV, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Possession of Another’s Identification related to the 6^th and Division shooting. Hill has been arrested by SPD three times in recent months for related incidents involving four victims, and faces a total of 13 charges. In the other incidents, Hill is charged with (2 counts) Drive-by Shooting, (4 counts) Malicious Mischief 3^rd Degree- DV, Attempted 1^st Degree Murder- DV, Assault 1^st Degree, and Conspiracy to Commit Assault 1^st Degree. Hill is being held in the Spokane County Jail on nearly 2 million dollars bond.

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