CHENEY, Wash. — Two men were arrested after allegedly attempting to commit murder and burglary in Cheney.
According to the Cheney Police Department, officers responded around 6 p.m. to a report of a man armed with a handgun outside a home in the 200 block of North Third Street. When police arrived, they detained 46-year-old Martin Julien and 44-year-old Riley Smith, who were found near the home after allegedly attempting to confront an occupant.
Investigators said Julien, armed with a black pistol, and Smith approached the residence to locate the occupant over a prior incident. Surveillance footage and witness statements confirmed Julien was visibly armed and aggressively pounded on the front door while holding the firearm. The two men also unlawfully entered a locked common area through a shared garage.
Police said Julien was already the subject of a separate Spokane County Sheriff’s Office investigation and there was existing probable cause for threats to kill. He was taken into custody on that charge as well as new charges from this incident.
Julien was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of:
• First-degree attempted murder
• First-degree burglary
• Felony threats to kill
Smith was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of:
• First-degree attempted murder
• First-degree burglary
• An active misdemeanor warrant
The investigation is ongoing.
