Officer Daniel Strassenberg Public Information Office
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 3:25 p.m.
On October 22nd, 2024 at 2:29pm SPD responded to the area of Thor and 1st Avenue in East Spokane on a report of a stabbing. Upon arriving, a male victim was located with stab wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical professionals, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
As officers began the investigation, information was obtained that indicated the suspect was the son of the victim. Detectives with SPD’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU) responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Leads/tips on the suspect’s whereabouts came into 911, but officers were unable to locate him. With the information and evidence obtained at that time, an arrest warrant was issued in the event the suspect was contacted outside of Spokane County.
Today at 7:50am, Washington State Patrol (WSP) came upon a vehicle that appeared disabled on I90 westbound near Cheney. Upon checking the license plates, the vehicle was reported as stolen. There was a single male occupant in the vehicle later identified as Damian C. Eiffert (38). Eiffert is the son of the victim and the primary suspect in the homicide investigation. Eiffert was uncooperative with WSP and stated he had a gun on his person, while reaching for his waistband area. Due to the extreme safety concerns, I90 was closed down in both directions. Multiple specialty units from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to assist WSP. SCSO SWAT, Crisis Negotiations, Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and the Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) arrived on the scene.
County Negotiators communicated with Eiffert in an effort to facilitate his surrender. He continued to be uncooperative making comments that someone from law enforcement was going to die. Eiffert was observed getting in and out of the vehicle with items in his hands. At just after 9am, he fled the vehicle on foot but was detained a short distance away.
Damian C. Eiffert was taken into custody for 2nd Degree Murder. The name of the deceased and specific cause of death will be released by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
If you have information about this investigation, contact Crime Check at 509 456-2233. Reference 2024-20219669
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Julie Humphreys
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jhumphreys@spokanepolice.org