In brief: Gunshot victim remains critical

The teenager wounded in what is being called an accidental shooting Sunday in north Spokane remained in critical but stable condition at a local hospital Monday, police said.

The 15-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after being shot in the chest by another teen, according to police. The shooting occurred just before 3 p.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of East Vanetta Lane. Spokane police Officer Shane Phillips rendered aid until an ambulance arrived.

Authorities still are investigating the incident, but believe the shooter fired accidentally, thinking the chamber of the gun was empty. The alleged shooter is cooperating with police.

Kip Hill

Sample sent for EV-D68 testing

The recent death of a child at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane has prompted health officials to investigate whether the cause may have been enterovirus D68.

Efforts are under way to send samples taken from the Lewiston child, who is under 10, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Kim Papich, spokeswoman for the Spokane Regional Health District.

Different enteroviruses, responsible for the common cold, sicken people every year. This year, however, the EV-D68 strain has been more prevalent. About 600 children have been hospitalized across the country, mainly those with respiratory problems. Four have died.

Five cases have been confirmed in Western Washington and one in southeast Idaho.

No cases of EV D-68 have been confirmed in Spokane County, though about two dozen samples have been sent for further testing.

John Stucke

Officers won’t face charges

The Spokane police officers who shot and killed a homicide suspect armed with a replica handgun while TV cameras rolled in April will not face criminal charges, the Spokane County prosecutor’s office said Monday.

Jeremy Arnold, 37, appeared at his home in the 2500 block of North Standard Street moments after authorities concluded a news conference about a body discovered at the home. While a KXLY cameraman filmed the encounter, Arnold left his truck with what appeared to be a gun in his hand and was shot dead by police.

Authorities later identified Arnold as a person of interest in the death of the woman, Tracy Fergerstrom, who was found dead in Arnold’s home. Arnold was carrying a realistic-looking metallic pellet gun at the time he was shot, investigators said.

Kip Hill