The incident began around 4:18 p.m. when the deputies, who patrol the north county area, pulled over a Chevy Suburban at Newport Highway and East Elm Street. Within 10 to 12 seconds the deputies were fired on, and both were hit, said Sgt. Dave Reagan of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Eyewitnesses said they heard about 10 shots shortly after 4 p.m. and then saw the deputies on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.
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The Spokesman-Review
The deputies, described as seasoned law enforcement veterans, are in stable condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center, where one has had surgery for his wounds. “The deputies were doing what they do best: stopping someone they believe might be a problem,” Sgt. Dave Reagan of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said.
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The Spokesman-Review
The suspect that police chased is Charles R. Wallace, 41, who was indicted just a month ago on federal charges connected to a heroin distribution ring that authorities allege supplied at least 100 grams of the drug. He led police on a high-speed chase north on U.S. Highway 2 toward Deer Park, racing northbound in the southbound lanes.
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The Spokesman-Review
As police closed in on a suspect in the shooting of two Spokane County sheriff’s deputies today, the suspect fired repeatedly at pursuing cars, then shot himself in Deer Park at U.S. Highway 395 and Crawford Road.
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The Spokesman-Review
Police were searching for at least two other people who may have been with Wallace at the time of the shooting. They searched several neighborhoods Tuesday evening, and a SWAT team had a standoff on the 900 block of East Princeton Avenue. However, it was unclear whether any arrests were made in connection to the shooting.
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The Spokesman-Review