Man shot by police charged with assault

A Spokane Valley man shot by police in December pleaded not guilty today to two counts of second-degree assault.

Michael E. Young, 55, is accused of pointing a handgun at Spokane Valley police officers Scott Bonney and Darell Stidham outside his home 11709 E. Fairview on Dec. 27.

Bonney, Stidham and Officer Walter Loucks shot Young several times. Officer Griffin Criswell tried to shoot but his gun malfunctioned, according to court documents.

The officers were responding to reports that Young was suicidal, according to court documents. One witness said Young never pointed his gun at police.

But each officer told investigators with the Spokane Police Department that Young raised the gun toward Bonney and Stidham, according to court documents.

Young’s lawyer, James Kirkham, said his client “maintains his innocence and plans to fight these charges.”

Young’s next Spokane County Superior Court hearing is scheduled for June.

Young was the third allegedly suicidal man shot by Spokane Valley police in two months late last year. (Read about one here.) Each of the men has been charged with assault.

Past coverage: Valley man shot by police is recovering at hospital