Woman shot at party dies

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday identified the woman shot Wednesday at a party as 20-year-old Ciara R. Hardin. She later died.

Spokane police arrested Chad W. Pratt, 20, on Friday afternoon, accusing him of accidentally shooting Hardin in the head. He faces a second-degree manslaughter charge.

Hardin was transported to a hospital in critical condition after the shooting and later died of her injuries, according to police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.

Police responded to the shooting at a party at about 11:30 p.m. on the 1300 block of East Newark Avenue on Wednesday. Patrol officers arrived within two minutes of the 911 call and immediately began administering first aid.

Police say Pratt, who had been drinking, was in the kitchen showing another friend his loaded handgun when he fired the gun and shot Hardin. Investigators determined Pratt was negligent in his handling of the firearm, resulting in the death of his friend.

Hardin went to Mt. Spokane High School. Pratt went to Mead High School.