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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

One hospitalized, one arrested in shooting

Witnesses say victim, suspect left party together

A Spokane man was on life support at a local hospital Saturday night after being shot in the head early in the morning.

Police arrested Robert D. Startin, 27, and booked him into Spokane County Jail for first-degree assault.

The charge could be upgraded if the victim, whose identity has not been released, does not survive, Spokane Valley Police Department spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release.

Spokane Valley police responded to Sixth Avenue and Sunderland Road after receiving a call about a traffic accident there shortly before 4 a.m. They found a 26-year-old man bleeding heavily in a vehicle.

At the hospital, medical personnel found a bullet wound behind the victim’s ear, Reagan said in the release.

Witnesses told police Startin showed up at a party but left because no one there knew him. He came back a short while later and left with the victim in the victim’s 1962 Chevrolet pickup, witnesses said.

Witnesses told police they later saw the two men driving slowly past the party in the truck. They told police they heard a “pop” and then a crash and saw Startin running from the truck.

After learning the victim had been shot, officers set up surveillance on Startin’s home and detained him about 10:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the news release.

They obtained a search warrant for Startin’s home and recovered clothing and a .45-caliber pistol they believe was used in the shooting.

Anyone with information about the incident who has not already spoken with investigators is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.