July 6, 2022
SIIR Press Release for Spokane Police Department Officer Involved Shooting
Update #23 July 6, 2022.
This is an update to the original press release put out by the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team on January 27, 2022. SIIR is sending out this release as the required weekly update to the incident that occurred on January 24, 2022, regarding a Spokane Police Department Officer involved shooting at 2423 E. Desmet Avenue in Spokane.
Autopsy and forensic reports have been received and are being evaluated. After evaluation, work will begin on finalizing this investigation. Once final, the complete investigation will be sent to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
**Original SIIR Release**
SIIR Spokane Police Officer Involved Shooting
On January 24, 2022 at about 1248, the Spokane Police Department was called to a domestic dispute at 2423 E. Desmet Avenue in Spokane. Upon the officers’ arrival, they discovered that the suspect had taken a small child hostage by knifepoint. Officers attempted contact and the suspect fled up a stairwell with the child. After unsuccessful attempts at de-escalation and with the suspect threatening to light a fire, officers advanced to the top of the stairwell. Two officers shot the suspect striking him several times. Officers rendered aid but the suspect died as a result of injuries sustained. The child was uninjured. A knife was found next to the suspect’s body as well as a can of liquid accelerant.
The Critical Incident protocol was enacted and the Spokane Independent Investigation Response (SIIR) team was called to investigate. Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) members responded as members of the SIIR. WSP will be the primary investigators for this incident with the Spokane County Sheriff Office assisting. WSP Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) also responded to process the scene. Community representatives and a family liaison have been identified as required by WAC 139. The investigation is ongoing.
This update is required in compliance with WAC 139-12, which mandates weekly updates be sent out by the lead investigative agency in investigations where a Washington State Peace Officer uses deadly force in the capacity of his or her law enforcement duties. These updates are required even if no new information is available at the time of the update.
***Original Release from Spokane Police Department***
On 01-24-22 at 1248 hours, 911 received a call from the 2400 block of E Desmet Ave. The caller reported a woman was outside saying her child was dead and people were screaming. Additional 911 calls were received indicating a domestic violence incident was taking place and at least one person appeared injured.
Officers responded to the location and encountered a male holding a knife to a small child. Several moments later an officer involved shooting occurred. The child was not physically injured. Officers rendered first aid to the suspect, and care was subsequently transferred to SFD and AMR Paramedics. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The officer involved shooting protocol was invoked, and the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR) will handle the investigation. The SIIR team is comprised of multiple law enforcement agencies; the Washington State Patrol will be the managing agency for this incident. As required, the Spokane Police Department will not be involved in the investigation to ensure an independent inquiry is conducted.
All future information related to the incident will come from the SIIR team, with the exception of identifying the officers involved which SPD will release in the coming days. The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure.
This update is required in compliance with WAC 139-12, which mandates weekly updates be sent out by the lead investigative agency in investigations where a Washington State Peace Officer uses deadly force in the capacity of his or her law enforcement duties. These updates are required even if no new information is available at the time of the update.
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