Stevens County deputy fires at domestic violence suspect accused of pointing gun at law enforcement

A Stevens County Sheriff’s deputy fired at a domestic violence suspect after he allegedly aimed a handgun toward the deputy and a police officer.

Police were called to a home in the 800 block of W. Robert Avenue in Chewelah about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday by a woman who said her husband assualted her and was preventing her from leaving the house, police said in a news release.

Stevens County deputies, Chewelah police officers, Washington State troopers and a Washington Fish and Game officer responded to the scene.

The victim eventually escaped from the back of the home, but her husband, 82-year-old Byron Parmenter, refused to surrender, waving a handgun and warning officers that he would shoot them if they didn’t get back, police said.

A deputy witnessed Parmenter point his handgun, which was equipped with a laser, toward him and a Chewelah police officer, police said. The deputy fired but did not strike Parmenter.

Parmenter eventually left the home but continued to disobey commands, police said. A Chelewah police officer released a police dog who took Parmenter to the ground.

Parmenter suffered minor injuries from the dog. He was booked into the Stevens County Jail on several charges including assault and unlawful imprisonment.

The Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol was enacted and the Spokane Police Department is leading an investigation into the shooting.