Police Department

Suspect in custody after violent assault in West Spokane sends one to the hospital

Officer Daniel Strassenberg Public Information Office

Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 11:08 a.m.

On August 15^th, 2024 at 11:30pm Spokane Police responded to the area of 800 W Garland on a report of an assault.  Officers located a male victim on the ground, surrounded by several concerned community members.  The victim was not conscious and struggling to breathe.  The victim had sustained a severe head injury and was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment.

As the investigation unfolded, officers learned the victim had been escorted out of a local business just prior to the assault. The suspect was not on scene when patrol officers arrived.  Detectives with SPD’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) were able to identify the suspect and the Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) began searching for him.

VCTF located the suspect yesterday and took him into custody.  Johnnie W. Witherspoon (48) was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for 1^st Degree Assault.  Witherspoon has extensive criminal history with prior felony convictions for 1^st Degree Burglary and Possession of a Controlled Substance.  

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