Police Department

SPD Resources Challenged Over a Busy Weekend

Lt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Monday, February 26, 2024 at 4:49 p.m.

Spokane Police officers, investigators and members of SPD specialty units respond to a high number of critical incidents over the weekend creating a challenge for PD resources. 

Starting Friday - 2/23/24 - in the late afternoon SPD SWAT and Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU) resources were called in to assist the Spokane Police Violent Crimes Task Force with the execution of a search warrant in the 600 block of East Euclid.  The warrant was executed without incident.  The investigation is ongoing. 

Then late Friday night – 2/23/24 - around 11:00 PM officers responded to 100 block of S. Division, for a male shot in the 7-11 parking lot.  Upon arrival officers located a male with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds who was transported to the hospital.   Officers investigated and determined the identity of the possible suspect and eventually located him in the 4400 block of E. 5^th.   Detectives responded and wrote a search warrant for the residence, the suspect would not surrender and SPD SWAT, Hostage Negotiators and Arial Surveillance Unit (ASU) members were called in.  After a short stand off the suspect Richard Smith (18) was taken into custody without incident and booked for 1^st degree assault. 

On Sunday – 2/25/24- around 11:00 AM SPD officers responded to a report a of a male in crisis in the 600 block of N. Cochran who had reportedly been up for three days, and was now making threats to kill members of his family.  The suspect retreated to his bedroom and was reported to be armed with a knife.  Probable cause was established for 3 counts of DV felony harassment, a search warrant was obtained, and SWAT along with the EDU, Hostage Negotiators Team and the ASU responded.  After hours of failed attempts to get compliance through verbal means the suspect, Travis Davis (32) was eventually taken into custody around 3:00 PM after SWAT used chemical munitions which motivated the suspect to exit his room. The suspect did physically resist arrest but suffered no apparent injuries.  He was transported to the hospital for medical and mental evaluation.

Later on Sunday, at about 3:20 PM officers responded to the area of Taco Bell at 6400 N. Division on a person with weapon call.   The complainant stated that the male cocked a handgun and pointed it at he and his girlfriend.   Officers located the vehicle in the Taco Bell drive thru and attempted to contact the suspect.  The vehicle immediately tried to flee, jumping the grass median.  Officers had to use their vehicles to pin the suspect vehicle and prevent it from escaping.  The occupants still would not comply and windows in the car had to be broken out, to allow officers to see in and eventually take the uncooperative suspects into custody.  The car was seized pending a search warrant and the driver was placed under arrest for Attempt to Elude, DUI, and two counts of Reckless Endangerment.  The front seat passenger was placed under arrest for 2 counts of 2^nd Assault. 

At about 6:00 PM on Sunday SPD located three individuals with multiple warrants in a residence in the 600 block of S. Cannon.  Upon initial contact with police the suspects refused to exit even after being told they were under arrest and police would not be leaving until they came out.  The warrants ranged from Washington Department of Corrections warrants and a US Marshall warrant to DV assault and a drug warrant out of Arizona.  SPD SWAT was called out; the suspects did eventually surrender and were taken into custody without incident.  

Note: there were also two calls over the weekend requiring the call of out detectives from the Special Victims Unit.  Both investigations are ongoing, and no further details are being released at this time. 

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