Press release from the Spokane County Prosecutor
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – The Spokane County Prosecutor has determined that Spokane Police Officers Brandon Roy and Andrew Willis were justified in their application of lethal force against Alan D. Jenks in the vicinity 1830 W. Dean Ave. in Spokane on March 31, 2024.
On March 31, 2024, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Spokane Fire and Police Units responded to a house fire at 1820 W. Dean, Spokane, Washington.
Soon after arrival, and after interviewing several witnesses in the immediate vicinity, probable cause was developed for arson. As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, SPD units canvassed the area for additional witnesses who may have knowledge regarding the fire and occupants of the house.
Alan Jenks was among the occupants seen leaving the burning house. Jenks was dressed in a gray hoodie and kept both hands in the front pouch pocket area of the hoodie during most of the contact. Jenks was standing on the sidewalk with a number of other people near 1830 W. Dean. When contacted, Jenks was evasive and unwilling to provide information. A woman associated with Jenks, Jessica Cook, eventually admitted that Jenks had warrants out for his arrest and that he had told her he wasn’t going back to prison.
Officers Roy and Willis then attempted to briefly detain Jenks until his warrant status could be verified. As they each made physical contact with Jenks, Jenks fired two shots. Officer Roy could feel Jenks move his right hand of the front pocket area of his sweatshirt just prior to Jenks firing two shots from the same area. Officer Willis heard the two shots and then saw Jenks pulling a handgun out from his front pocket in what appeared to be an attempt to further engage the police. Believing that Jenks was shooting at, and appeared to be ready to reengage them, Officers Roy and Willis pushed themselves away from Jenks and immediately returned fire. Jenks went to the ground and was subsequently handcuffed and given emergency aid pending arrival of medics. The handgun was located partially under Jenks’ body near his right hand. A black nylon holster recovered at the scene near Jenks’ body was damaged in the muzzle area consistent with the gun having been fired while still in the holster.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Jenks had a fully extraditable felony DOC warrant for Escape From Community Custody stemming from an underlying First-Degree Robbery conviction.
An autopsy confirmed that Jenks died of multiple gunshot wounds. Toxicology testing after autopsy showed the following substances in Jenks’ system at the time of his death: amphetamine, fentanyl, norfentanyl, methamphetamine, and cannabinoids.
An independent investigation into the incident was conducted by the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) was the lead agency with assistance from the Washington State Patrol.
