Man pulls BB gun, dodges bullet

A Spokane man is lucky to be alive after pointing what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun at Spokane Police officers early Saturday.

An officer fired two rounds at Robert B. Lavoie after he raised a metal BB gun at officers, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

One round penetrated two folds of Lavoie’s shirt, creating four holes and barely missing the man’s abdomen. A second bullet clipped a utility pole.

“It’s spooky. I think it’s fortunate for everyone,” Cottam said.

Police arrested Lavoie, who was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center for a mental evaluation before being booked into jail on charges of third-degree assault of an officer.

While being arrested, Lavoie, 22, said he did a really stupid thing and was lucky to be alive, Cottam said.

As many as eight officers had responded to calls placed by Lavoie, who dialed 911 and said he was going to kill himself. His mother also called police, saying her son had a gun and asking officers to intervene.

When police arrived at 1514 N. Cedar about 3 a.m. Saturday, Lavoie pointed what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun at two officers. That’s when one officer fired.

“You think of an officer standing there and he’s not going to get shot if he can help it. It’s a delicate thing,” Cottam said.

Spokane police faced a similar scenario in September 2003 when 15-year-old Eagle Michael pointed a realistic-looking BB gun at officers.

Police issued commands to drop the weapon, which Michael ignored. A policewoman fired, killing the teenager. Afterward, officers learned the youth was hearing impaired.

Officers participate in year-round training to help them make split-second decisions involving firearms, Cottam said.

Complicating matters, Cottam said, is that some companies are manufacturing realistic-looking toys and BB guns. Those fakes are turning up without orange end caps that help officers differentiate between toys and weapons.

“The weapon is an exact replica. It’s just crazy.”