Court document says man shot by deputy was struggling with a woman

The man shot to death Saturday by Spokane County sheriff’s deputies reportedly was struggling with a woman inside his apartment, threatened officers with a large knife and refused multiple commands to drop it, according to investigators. Roy J. Jacobs, 48, appeared highly intoxicated to officers and was struggling with a woman when they arrived at his apartment in the 4100 block of North McDonald Road, investigators wrote in newly filed court documents. Three deputies assigned to the Spokane Valley Police Department were dispatched to the apartment after Jacobs had called 911 asking to be arrested on an outstanding warrant. When officers arrived, Jacobs was armed with a knife and struggling with a woman while seated inside the apartment, documents show. The woman was removed and escorted to safety as officers ordered Jacobs to drop the knife. Instead, according to court documents, Jacobs stood and held the knife “in a threatening manner,” prompting Deputy Jared Kiehn to shoot him. The deputies initiated first aid and attempted to stop the bleeding but Jacobs was later pronounced dead at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, the documents show. Deputies Scott Nelson and Tanya Walker also were at the scene Saturday. Meanwhile, the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office today officially listed the cause of Jacobs’ death as a gunshot wound to the stomach. The shooting is being investigated by the Spokane Police Department under agreements designed to promote independent investigation of officer involved shootings. Kiehn is one of two deputies who in April arrived at the scene of a fiery Spokane Valley auto crash and used fire extinguishers to try rescuing the motorist.