March 5, 2011 in News

Deputy shoots suspect near Deer Lake

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A person suspected of numerous vehicle prowls in rural Stevens County is in serious condition in a Spokane hospital after being shot by a Stevens County Sherriff’s deputy early this morning.

Details of what led to the shooting are still sketchy, but the incident began when the sheriff’s office received numerous reports of vehicle prowling in the area about 1:18 a.m., according to police. A firearm was stolen from one of the vehicles. Police said deputies contacted the suspect on the 4300 block of E. Deer Lake Road about 3:00 a.m. and shots were fired.

It is unclear how many deputies fired, how many shots were fired or who fired first.

The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team, which includes detectives from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police Department and Washington State Patrol, is investigating. Stevens County Sheriff’s detectives are at the scene assisting in the investigation.

The suspects name is being withheld, but the Deer Park Tribune identified him as 23-year-old Trinity Lopez. The deputies’ names will be released later by the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators have recovered items they believe were taken during the vehicle prowls, police said. The weapon recovered from the suspect matches the description of the weapon taken from the car earlier this morning.

Seven comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  west on March 05 at 2:59 p.m.

  “And ….another one bites the dust”

• 

  Bob_Knows on March 05 at 6:00 p.m.

  Remember the old days when the cop would “slap the cuffs on him”? Long gone. Now they see a petty thief and its blast away. Judge, jury, and executioner, on the scene. Remember the old says when petty theft got 30 days in jail? Now its summary execution by firing squad, unless you manage to survive all the lead.

  Something is really, really, really wrong with the extreme violence of our government. As Ronald Regan said, “The most frightening 9 words in the English language, ‘I’m from the government. I’m here to help you.’ ”

• 

  reservedparking on March 05 at 6:50 p.m.

  So, Bob… what say you if it turns out the bad guy pointed a gun at the officer, or fired first? Just slap the cuffs on him then??

  Bob_Knows_not. None of us do yet, as all the facts are not here.

• 

  ssutherland on March 05 at 6:51 p.m.

  Hey Bob…remember the “old days” when someone would steal something and the rancher would shoot them in the back as they were running away with it? Remember in the old days when someone would steal a horse or other valuable item and they would be shot on the spot? Remember the old days when a child molester would be caught red handed and they would string him up at the nearest tree?

  Now, these folks get home release and deferred sentences. Stealing a gun out of a parked (presumably locked) car is petty theft? Are you really serious?

  I had a punk steal valuables out of my trunk 4 weeks ago after smashing windows and rifling through the glove box to find the trunk latch. Wanna know how MOST people would have reacted had they caught him in the act while damaging and stealing their personal property? If caught, most people in our part of the country would would make sure it looked as if they went through a bout with Smokin’ Joe. And yes, if they fired at me with any weapon, it would be lights out.

  You are right Bob. I prefer the “old days”. Not just your “old days”.

• 

  de3 on March 05 at 7:36 p.m.

  Two shootings in one day - and the day’s not over yet!

  The Spokane area is a fun place.

• 

  PlanB on March 05 at 10:11 p.m.

  How is it that gang members and really dangerous people never get shot by law enforcement? Why is it only petty thieves, elderly ministers, people in domestic disputes and such?

• 

  2_2thechest1_2thehead on March 06 at 9:16 p.m.

  Judge, jury, and executioner!!!
  -
  Hey there Bob_Knows_nothing,
  -
  Have you ever heard the saying “the pot calling the kettle black”!
  -
  So in view of your comment I would have to say that you’re the pot, possibly a little cracked but still the pot.
  -
  You are pretty darn fast to judge the action’s of these officers without knowing one single fact.
  I think you should let the investigation team gather evidence, write their reports, and when and only when they release that information to the public should start looking to find fault with how things played out.
  Yes, every agency has its bad apple’s but that does not mean that every officer in every department should be painted in the same light.
  If you want to know the truth BOB (which you probably don’t) it is people who go around shooting their mouths off, with unfounded comments not based on any facts, that does the greatest amount of damage to the image of L.E. not officer’s that are sadly involved in the use of lethal force.