In brief: Suspect in Valley shooting arrested, appears in court

A man suspected of shooting a friend’s new beau at a home in Spokane Valley was arrested early Friday morning, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said.

John Clyde Payne, 60, was last seen speeding away from the house on Conifer Court on a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle around 7 p.m. The homeowner told deputies Payne arrived at her residence and shot her boyfriend in the face before fleeing. Payne shouted at the woman, telling her, “You’re next. You’re next,” according to a police report.

The woman said though she’s known Payne for several years, they were never dating, according to the report. Payne did, however, become aggressive and controlling since a recent back surgery, she told police.

The shooting victim was alert when deputies arrived. His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening.

Deputies scoured the area for several hours, eventually discovering Payne hiding in a wooded area about a mile away around 2:30 a.m., according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. They took Payne into custody without further incident.

Payne directed law enforcement to a church at 4027 S. Wilbur Road, where he’d left his motorcycle and buried two handguns, according to the report. He told authorities he wanted them to know where the guns were “so no kids get them at school,” according to the report. The church is across the street from Horizon Middle School.

Payne appeared in court on felony charges of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault Friday afternoon.

Staff reports

Car hits bus near Deer Park; driver injured, students safe

A collision between a car and a school bus caused one minor injury in Deer Park on Friday morning.

A school bus carrying 20 to 30 students was traveling at 1410 E. Denison-Chattaroy Road when it was struck by a car at 7:15 a.m., according to a Washington State Patrol news release.

The driver of the car suffered a hand injury, but none of the students was injured.

Staff reports