Police Department

SPD Investigate Homicide In North Spokane - One Male In Custody

Officer T. Leming, PIO, tleming@spokanepolice.org

Monday, June 8, 2026 at 4:03 p.m.

On June 7^th, 2026, just after 5pm, Spokane police officers responded to a fatal shooting near 5400 N Hawthorne St. A juvenile called 911 to report a male shot their mom. The caller stated the male left in a vehicle immediately after the shooting and provided a description of the vehicle as well as the vehicle’s plate number. The caller believed their mom was deceased.

Officers arrived within minutes and contacted two juveniles that were in the home at the time of the shooting and gathered pertinent information. They quickly located the female victim and observed she had injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. The officers provided life saving measures until medics arrived. The female unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

At the same time, an officer driving to the scene located the suspect vehicle driving near E. Wellesley Ave and N. Haven St. A traffic stop was initiated, and the male suspect was detained.

SPD’s Major Crimes Unit was notified of the incident and took over the investigation. After gathering witness statements and evidence, probable cause was established to arrest Josiah Ballinger (42) for Murder 2^nd Degree.

The identity of the victim will be released on a later date by the medical examiner.

At this time, investigators believe this was an isolated incident involving individuals known to one another, and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the community.

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