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

Warrant issued in shooting that injured girl, man

Samura

A man accused of shooting a young girl and a man Sunday night confronted a group with a gun after hearing gang-related insults, Spokane police allege.

Abubakar “Abu” Samura, 21, is wanted on two counts of first-degree assault. A $500,000 warrant was issued Tuesday.

Police say several bullets from Samura’s gun struck a home in the 1800 block of East Fourth Avenue, including one that lodged inside the foot of a 6-year-old girl inside the home, according to information released Wednesday.

The girl had surgery to remove to the bullet, according to court documents. Matthew W. Woods, 23, was shot in the legs and back and also is expected to survive, police say.

Police said several people involved in the case have told them they fear retaliation if they assist police because of “the obvious violent nature of the incident.” They also fear that the fact that Samura is a refugee from Liberia who could be deported if convicted of a felony makes him more likely to act out violently to avoid arrest, police said.

Police say Woods was at the home with a friend about 8 p.m. when he heard someone from a home nearby in the 300 block of South Pittsburg Street yell what he understood to be a derogatory statement about their gang. Woods and his friend responded, at which point someone shot Woods in the leg, then fired several more times as he ran to a nearby home.

Three witnesses granted anonymity by police identified Samura as the gunman. Police found a revolver between pieces of wood and a piece of concrete in an alley near the Pittsburg home Monday.

Samura is known to frequent the area of South Perry Street and East Ninth Avenue, police say.

Anyone with information on his location is asked to call the gang enforcement team at (509) 625-GANG (4264). He’s described as 5-foot-4 and 160 pounds.