Gunshots Cause Scare In Valley

Authorities blocked off a Spokane Valley neighborhood and surrounded a house Thursday night after hearing gunshots coming from the back yard.

The initial gunfire at 15902 E. Valleyway kept sheriff’s deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers watching the house from a cautious distance for 1-1/2 hours.

The incident ended peacefully. No arrests were made, and no one was injured.

The incident began about 5:20 p.m. when George McDonald, 53, fired five shots into the ground to scare off two pit bulls that had attacked his wolf hybrid, Sgt. Martin O’Leary said.

McDonald went back inside the house before deputies and troopers arrived. Because his phone number is unlisted, officers had trouble contacting him.

During the standoff, McDonald watched a live TV news account of the drama unfolding outside his home. A telephone operator later provided deputies with McDonald’s number.

Deputies removed a rifle and a handgun from the house. The incident is still under investigation, O’Leary said.

, DataTimes