Police Department

Suspect in custody after daytime parking lot assault

Officer Daniel Strassenberg Public Information Office

Friday, October 18, 2024 at 11:52 a.m.

On October 17^th, 2024 at 12:15pm SPD responded to the area of 400 East Spokane Falls Boulevard on a report of an assault.  A female caller advised 911 that she was just attacked by an unknown male.  As officers arrived at the location, they contacted the victim who was already being treated by medics. 

The victim advised as she was walking to her vehicle, she observed a male in a parking lot wearing a fluorescent jacket.  She believed this person to be a worker of some type.  As she walked past the male, he made eye contact with her while smiling.  As the victim was placing items in her vehicle, the male came up behind her and grabbed her.  She was then spun around as the suspect placed his hands around her throat, attempting to force her down to the ground while squeezing her throat. 

The victim courageously fought back, scratching and clawing at his face before biting into his hand that was near her mouth.  The suspect then fled the area on foot.  As he ran off, he discarded items on the ground that contained his information as well as some of the clothing he was wearing.  After collecting the evidence at the scene and interviewing multiple witnesses, officers responded to the area of 500 East Everett Avenue.  The suspect was detained as he was exiting an apartment less than 90 minutes after the assault took place. 

Michael J. Trout (27) was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for 2^nd Degree Assault.  Trout has previous felony convictions for 2^nd Degree Assault (Strangulation) and 2^nd Degree Taking Motor Vehicle without Permission.  Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation to include Park Rangers and WSU Security.   

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