DEER PARK, Wash. – The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team(SIIR) is investigating the SWAT stand-off that led to a suspect being killed by Spokane County deputies on Friday evening at Deer Park.
On March 29 at around 2:30 p.m., Stevens County Sheriff’s detectives asked for help with serving an arrest warrant for a wanted suspect charged with First Degree Rape of a Child and had a $100,00 bond felony warrant.
Stevens County Detectives located the suspect at a residence in the 30300 block of North Monroe Road, southwest of Deer Park, where detectives say they initially attempted to contact the suspect.
Steven County detectives say he was uncooperative, ran back into the house, and, at one point, stated “law enforcement would have to shoot him.” Steven County detectives then requested assistance from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Spokane deputies arrived and attempted to get two additional uncooperative occupants inside the residence to exit. Although initially unsuccessful, they eventually exited the home for their safety.
Deputies and Stevens County Crisis Negotiators contacted the suspect and tried to convince him to surrender. Deputies state that he refused to follow commands or show his hands.
Deputies say that after multiple attempts, including the use of chemical irritants, to get the suspect to leave the house were unsuccessful, SWAT Team members around 4:10 p.m. approached the residence.
Just after 6:05 pm, SWAT breached the front door and attempted to look for the suspect but SWAT couldn’t locate him.
SWAT then breached the back door, but they still couldn’t locate the suspect. Still making announcements, an obstructed window was removed, and deputies advised shots had been fired and the suspect was hit.
Life-saving medical efforts began, as the suspect was moved to an awaiting air-ambulance helicopter, but he succumbed to his injuries before being transported.
The SIIR Team responded to the scene and has begun an investigation into the incident.
No Deputies or uninvolved citizens were injured.
The three Deputies, believed to have fired their weapons, were placed on administrative leave.
