COLVILLE, Wash. – Police shot a man suspected of assault in the early morning hours on Wednesday after an overnight standoff was unable to de-escalate the situation.
According to a press release from the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), deputies were dispatched to reports of a disturbance at a house on Old Arden Highway on Tuesday at around 9:15 p.m.
Deputies determined that 56-year-old Anthony Sparacino assaulted an adult relative at the house, SCSO said. That relative was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Sparacino did not answer the door, SCSO said, and had multiple firearms with him inside.
The Stevens County Special Response Team (SRT) was fully assembled outside the house at approximately midnight. Negotiations continued for several hours. SCSO said that several methods to take him into custody were used and unsuccessful, such as CS gas and pepper ball.
SCSO said Sparacino indicated he would shoot at officers. At around 2:30 a.m., he pointed a gun at law enforcement and three officers fired shots.
Sparacino continued to fight officers when they entered the residence, according to the press release, even after being shot. He was transported to Mt. Carmel Hospital and then flown to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
The three officers who fired shots have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Sheriff Brad Manke said this is “normal and routine procedure for these types of incidents.”
Washington State Patrol is conducting an independent investigation.
