MEAD, Wash. – One person is in custody following a standoff on Newport Highway near Mead Monday afternoon.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to an altercation in the area of US-2 and Deer Park-Milan Road just before noon on Nov. 13. SCSO said the suspect threatened to shoot the victim, who was ‘fearing for their life.’ The suspect then got in their car and drove towards the victim, almost hitting them.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the suspect, who refused to follow commands and drove off.
SCSO stopped the suspect a second time around 12:30 p.m., near US-2 and East Day Mt Spokane Road. Deputies used spike strips to keep the suspect from taking off again as they were refusing to comply with verbal commands. Crisis negotiators were called to the scene but were also unsuccessful.
‘Chemical agents’ were then used in another attempt to get the suspect out of the vehicle, but he still refused to exit. SCSO did not elaborate on what these chemicals are.
Eventually, deputies were able to take the suspect into custody, where they face charges of second and fourth-degree assault, felony harassment, threatening to kill and resisting arrest. Medics evaluated the suspect as a precaution from the chemicals used.
This incident remains under investigation, and charges are subject to change.
