Gunfire Hits Man In Head Car Window Blown Out In East Fifth Drive-By

Police are investigating a drive-by shooting Monday night in east Spokane that left a car riddled with bullets and a man hospitalized with a head wound.

The shooting reportedly occurred in the 3200 block of East Fifth between 5:30 and 6 p.m.

One resident said she heard at least three shots fired in front of her house.

“I saw a car cut through the front yard of the house across the street before it slid across the street and almost hit my (parked) car,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified.

Police Sgt. Joe Peterson said the victim, about 30, was drifting in and out of consciousness before being taken to a local hospital. Peterson did not know the severity of the unidentified man’s wound.

The victim, who was driving a blue Ford sedan, told police he and a passenger were shot at by two black men in a car. The victim is also black.

After being shot, the victim stopped at a convenience store at Third and Altamont. He entered the store and asked a clerk to call police, Peterson said.

Peterson said the Ford’s passenger-side window was shot out. “There are at least six bullet holes in the car, which indicates a high-caliber weapon was used,” he said.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the victim or his passenger may have instigated the shooting.

As of late Monday, no arrests had been made. A description of the gunman’s car was not available.

The woman who heard the gunshots is convinced the incident is drug-related.

The 11-year resident said drug dealers and addicts prowl Fifth Avenue “all night long, using and selling.”

, DataTimes