Man killed during Airway Heights parking lot fight

Two people have been arrested in the killing of a man during a fight in the parking lot of an Airway Heights apartment complex early Friday morning.

Kalispel Tribal and Airway Heights police say the victim lived in one of the apartments at 10913 W. Sixth Ave. and went outside to confront several people who were being loud.

The confrontation became violent. Someone reportedly wielded a baseball bat.

Christian J. Palmer, 18, and Brandon L. Pierce, 19, have both been booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Pierce was found lying on the ground injured when police arrived, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory. He was treated and released from a local hospital before being booked into jail.

The homicide victim died on the apartment complex grounds.

Several people reportedly ran from the parking after the fight. An initial search by a Spokane Police Department dog did not find anyone but as of late Friday afternoon, all people involved had been contacted, said Gregory.

“This is still a very active investigation,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies are assisting in the investigation. The name of the homicide victim will be released after an autopsy has been performed.