Police investigating death in East Central Spokane

A man was found shot and killed Saturday afternoon in car stopped in a driving lane of Fifth Avenue in the East Central neighborhood. A police officer in the area on another call at about 3:30 p.m. noticed the stopped westbound car just east of Magnolia Street and found the driver unresponsive, said Capt. Craig Meidl. The officer soon discovered the gunshot wound in the abdomen, called for backup and attempted CPR. A gun was located in the car, Meidl said. Officers combed the neighborhood and knocked on doors to interview potential witnesses. Keith Rich, who lives nearby, said that after police arrived an officer asked him if he heard a gunshot or recognized the car. “I don’t recognize the car. I didn’t hear a gunshot. I heard the tires screech,” said Rich who said he was working in his backyard at the time. Later, Rich saw the officer working to resuscitate the man, who had been pulled from the car and was on the pavement. Meidl said police do not believe there is a threat to the community. Officers are uncertain if anyone was in the car with the victim when the shooting occurred. Fifth Avenue is an arterial and Spokane Transit Authority bus route. The street is closed and buses have been rerouted. STA buses are being detoured.