SPOKANE, Wash. — Since the start of 2024, six people have been shot and killed by law enforcement in Spokane County.
Starting on Jan. 30, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) shot and killed a man in the 6500 block of North Calispel Street. Richard Rogissart, 55, was threatening to kill his neighbor, and after hours of trying to negotiate with the suspect, police say he “aggressed” on them. That’s when a deputy shot and killed him.
Law enforcement was called the day prior after Rogissart destroyed a surveillance light the neighbor recently installed.
On Jan. 31, nine officers with the Spokane Police Department (SPD) shot at a man who police say was threatening himself and others on Spokane’s South Hill. SPD said the suspect had a gun and refused to cooperate with law enforcement, raising the weapon at least two times. SPD said nine officers shot at him.
The suspect was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Feb 12, a suspect was allegedly threatening his girlfriend with a gun near Wellesley and Nevada Avenue. While on the phone with the victim, they heard a gunshot, followed by the woman saying she was shot. When police arrived on the scene, gunfire was exchanged, and 50-year-old Erick Cid was killed.
12 hours later, on Feb. 12, the SPD said a man was threatening himself and others with a knife in downtown Spokane. Multiple non-lethal attempts to get the suspect under control were used but unsuccessful, according to SPD. Two officers fired their weapons, hitting and killing the suspect.
On March 29, a man was shot and killed by SCSO after an hours-long SWAT standoff. The suspect was wanted for first-degree rape of a child and was highly uncooperative, according to SCSO. SWAT and deputies broke through a window where the suspect was hiding, shooting and killing him.
On March 31, SPD responded to the 1800 West Dean for reports of a house fire. Law enforcement worked to get anyone out of the home and suspected arson was the cause of the flames. During questioning, police said one man became uncooperative, resisted orders and opened fire on police.
Police returned fire, and the suspect died at the scene.
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team investigates when law enforcement discharges their weapon in Spokane County.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels spoke on these issues, stating that law enforcement never wants these incidents to turn deadly and that the fix will require a complete overhaul of the state’s mental health programs.
“I think we need to have earnest conversations with our state legislature about what we’re funding, about what we’re doing with the immense financial recourses the state has to address addiction, to address the mental issue,” Sheriff Nowels said.
