Passenger: Man accused of shooting at deputy was looking to buy heroin

The man accused of shooting at a Spokane County Deputy and Liberty Lake police officer during a traffic stop last week is Christopher R. Myers, 28, according to a search warrant filed today. Deputy Jeff Thurman shot and wounded Myers Jan. 30 around 8:30 p.m. at a gas station at Barker Road and Cataldo, after Myers allegedly fled from a traffic stop and shot at the officers. Myers has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, theft, attempted residential burglary and vehicle prowling, according to newspaper records. Thurman initially stopped a car with three passengers inside. Another deputy and a Liberty Lake police officer arrived as backup after Thurman determined that all three passengers had warrants for their arrest. When the vehicle was stopped, Myers allegedly took off running. Thurman and his K9, as well as Liberty Lake Police Officer Jeff Jones, pursued him on foot. According to court documents, the officers repeatedly yelled commands for Myers to stop resisting and put his hands behind his back. The K9 was given a command by one of the officers and attacked Myers, who allegedly fired his gun. Thurman returned fire, hitting Myers once. Jones was wearing a body camera which captured the chase. The footage was reviewed by Spokane County Deputy Lyle Johnston and Spokane Detective Paul Lebsock, who described hearing a physical struggle between Myers and the officers before the K9 command is given. They then heard two popping sounds and a loud bang. Myers is in stable condition at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he is under guard. He faces two charges of first-degree assault and a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and will be physically booked into jail once he’s released from the hospital. One of the female passengers told police she and Myers were heroin users and said they had been out looking to buy heroin, according to court documents. Both female passengers were arrested at the scene.