In brief: Patrol car stolen while deputy ran after suspect

A car theft suspect being chased on foot by a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy Thursday night doubled back and stole the deputy’s patrol car on Spokane’s South Hill.

Deputies scrambled to find the missing car, which contained a shotgun and AR-15 rifle. The car was taken near Stone and Lee streets and found abandoned a short time later a few blocks away with the guns still inside. Deputies caught up to the suspect in the 4500 block of South Myrtle Street.

Taylor J. Davis, 26, was arrested on multiple charges. He has a lengthy criminal history that includes assault, car theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a police officer. In 2007, Davis was wounded by a Spokane police officer who opened fire when Davis rammed a patrol car with a stolen car, knocking another officer off his feet.

Nina Culver

Man ejected from bar shoots employee in leg

Early-morning gunfire Thursday at a downtown Spokane bar sent a worker to the hospital with leg injuries and has police searching for the suspect, who they said was kicked out just before the shooting.

Because of unruly behavior, three men were asked to leave the Lion’s Lair at 205 W. Riverside Ave. just before 2 a.m., Spokane police Capt. Judi Carl said. One of the men fired shots through the front window, striking an employee in the leg. Police arrived within a minute of the 911 call, Carl said.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 20s, about 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds. He was wearing dark clothing.

Carl said police have not had problems with the bar prior to Thursday’s shooting. She said the incident is not indicative of downtown, where assaults have declined 30 percent over the previous year.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233. Major Crimes detectives are investigating the incident.

Kip Hill