Police Chase Suspects Through Riverfront Park One Of Alleged Shoplifters Dives Into River, Is Rescued

Sun., May 21, 1995

Emi Endo Staff Writer

Two suspected shoplifters - one armed with a gun - led Spokane police on a chase through Riverfront Park Saturday afternoon, briefly interrupting the carnival atmosphere of the Lilac Festival.

The gunman, identified as Shaun A. Moore, 26, dove into the river near the Post Street Bridge, but was rescued by a patrol officer, police said.

Payless employee Chad Gregg, of Spokane, said the incident started when two men stole a couple of pairs of sunglasses from the store at Parkade Plaza shortly before 1 p.m.

Store employees alerted off-duty Spokane police detective Hilding Anderson, who waited outside for the men.

Anderson was taking them into custody when one man pointed a handgun at the officer.

“He put (the gun) into the officer’s chest,” said Sgt. Larry Adams, then both men broke away and began running.

Anderson, Gregg and another store employee gave chase.

Officers caught and arrested one of the alleged shoplifters, identified by police as Michael J. Adams, 26.

The gunman ran over the bank just west of the footbridge to Canada Island and dove into the river.

“He’s lucky to be alive,” Adams said, pointing at the slippery rocks that the man had run down.

The man dropped the handgun into the water and began swimming north across the river, police said.

He soon turned around but was unable to swim back to shore.

Patrol officer Barry O’Connell went in and pulled the suspect out.

“Officer O’Connell risked his life to get him,” Adams said.

Police sirens cut through the carrousel music and the hum of festival-goers, drawing curious spectators to the arrests of both men.

Moore was taken to a hospital, then booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree assault and first-degree robbery. He was being held without bond Saturday night.

The other man was booked into jail for theft and being held on $500 bond.

The Spokane County dive team recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from the river where the gunman jumped in, police said.

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