Man killed in drive-by shooting in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood

Spokane police are investigating a fatal drive-by shooting that erupted Sunday night in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood.

One man was taken to a local hospital where he died of his injuries, police said in a news release. Friends and family identified him as 35-year-old Jason Allison.

Allison was on the porch of an apartment at 3104 E. Fifth Avenue, two blocks west of a Fred Meyer store, when at about 10:30 p.m. he was struck by a hail of gunfire from a passing car.

Spokane police said in the news release that the shooting “does not appear to be random. However, the relationship between involved parties and circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation.”

Christina Harris, Allison’s cousin, said Monday she believes the shooting was random.

“That’s why our family is shocked,” she said. “He wasn’t the type of person to hang out with violent people.”

A shooter has not been arrested.

Several neighbors reported hearing a series of gunshots – between five and 10 – just before a car sped away. At least one bullet became lodged in the side of the apartment’s entryway, where it was later dug out and removed by investigators.

“I kinda figured it was a drive-by,” said Robert Marley, who lives just north of the shooting scene. “Just by the way it sounded.”

Marley and other neighbors said the particular apartment where the shooting occurred – on the southeast corner of the Fifth and Fiske – has a history of drawing police response.

The complex, called 5th Avenue Court, is owned by Early Enterprises LLC, which purchased the property in 2016, according to Spokane County Assessor records.

Harris described Allison as “loving, caring and outgoing.” He leaves behind two young children.

Police ask anyone with information to call crime check at (509) 456-2233 and reference incident number 2019-20075369.