Armed Suspect’s Crime Spree in Spokane and Kootenai County Ends in Law Enforcement Involved Shooting at Trent and Pines
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team is Investigating
NOTE: The information provided is the initial information known at this time regarding a rapidly changing, extremely hazardous, and deadly situation involving multiple scenes and law enforcement agencies. Future information and updates will be provided via the SIIR Team.
Initial information indicated that this incident began when Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported armed robbery (carjacking) in the 16000 block of E. Sprague Avenue. The suspect, said to be armed with a rifle and pistol, fled in a newly stolen vehicle. A pursuit ensued, and with the suspect reaching estimated speeds of 140 mph or more, Deputies could not catch up and lost sight of him. The suspect crossed over into Kootenai County, where he attempted additional carjackings (armed robberies) and injured additional victims, including tragically shooting and killing one. After stealing another vehicle, he fled back into Spokane County and reportedly fired at pursuing law enforcement while traveling west on Trent.
Washington State Patrol Troopers (WSP) at Trent and Pines, on the scene of an unrelated traffic collision, were advised of the extremely dangerous situation heading their way. When the suspect reached the intersection, he crashed into a citizen’s and a WSP Trooper’s vehicle. The suspect exited the stolen vehicle, still armed, and soon after, law enforcement advised shots had been fired. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Officer-Involved Protocol was invoked, and the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR) is conducting an independent investigation.
On June 15, 2025, at approximately 8:30 am, Spokane Valley and Spokane County Deputies responded to a reported armed robbery (carjacking) in the 16000 block of E. Sprague Avenue, where an adult male suspect, armed with a rifle and handgun, approached a victim and his daughter and stole their Dodge Challenger. Thankfully, no one was reported injured at this location.
Within minutes, Deputies located the stolen car at a high rate of speed and pursued it. On I-90, eastbound, the suspect reached speeds of an estimated 140 mph. Deputies attempted to catch up but were unable to do so and lost sight of him near the Stateline.
Law enforcement agencies in North Idaho were advised of the dangerous situation, and multiple law enforcement agencies in both counties attempted to locate the armed and dangerous suspect.
A short time later, it was reported there was another carjacking and shooting in Kootenai County near the Stateline. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris later advised the suspect attempted to carjack several vehicles and stole another. During this time, the suspect committed several additional crimes, injured a victim, and tragically shot and killed another. (Contact the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office regarding their investigation)
The suspect then fled Kootenai County in a stolen vehicle and reentered Spokane County.
At approximately 8:45 am, near N. McKinzie Road and E. Wellesley, the armed suspect unsuccessfully attempted to carjack another vehicle. At one point, he is said to have fired his gun again, and although it is unclear what he shot at, no one was reported injured.
The armed suspect then stole another vehicle, a dark gray truck, and drove toward E. Trent. Deputies located the suspect in the stolen truck traveling east on Trent from McKinzie.
At Sullivan Road, a successful spike strip deployment was reported, but the suspect continued west at speeds estimated to be 120 mph. With the front tire of the truck flat, the suspect blew through a red light and the intersection with Evergreen Road. As the truck tire began to disintegrate, the suspect recklessly drove into oncoming traffic at speeds of approximately 80 mph.
The suspect waved his rifle out of the window and began firing, presumably at law enforcement, as he continued westbound.
WSP Troopers at Trent and Pines, investigating a previously reported and unrelated traffic crash that disabled the traffic lights and partially blocked the roadway, were advised of the extremely dangerous situation heading their way.
At the intersection, the suspect crashed into a citizen’s vehicle, a WSP Trooper’s patrol car, and reportedly fired additional shots. The armed suspect exited the stolen truck. Shortly after, law enforcement advised shots had been fired, the suspect was down, and medics were requested. (Both Troopers and Deputies were at the scene)
When it was safe, Deputies/Troopers approached the suspect, with a rifle observed on the ground next to him. He was given medical aid but was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased suspect, along with his cause and manner of death, when appropriate.
The Officer-Involved Protocol was invoked, and the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR) is conducting an independent investigation.
The SIIR Team is at the scene, processing evidence and documenting the scene. The SIIR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, Liberty Lake Police Department, Airway Heights Police Department, Spokane Valley Police Department, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
- For this investigation, the Spokane Police Department is the primary point of contact for the SIIR Team. All future communications regarding this incident will be sent via the SIIR Team.
- The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will release the name of the Deputy involved at a later time.
In compliance with WAC 139-12, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police Department/Washington State Patrol personnel will not be involved in this investigation.
Once the SIIR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
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