Man In Standoff Paralyzed By Shot

Thu., June 25, 1998

From Staff

Spokane Valley resident Douglas J. Lefebvre has lost the use of his legs as a result of a spinal injury he suffered when police shot him during an armed standoff on June 12.

A Sacred Heart Medical Center spokeswoman confirmed the paralysis, but said it is too soon to know whether it will be permanent. Otherwise, Lefebvre is continuing to recover from a single gunshot in the lower torso, and is in satisfactory condition.

Lefebvre, 41, was shot after a nonlethal “beanbag” shotgun blast failed to incapacitate him when members of the Spokane County special weapons and tactics team moved to end a 5-1/2-hour standoff near Chewelah.

Stevens County Sheriff Craig Thayer called in the Spokane County team to help end a three-day crime spree that began in the Spokane Valley.

Lefebvre has been charged with armed robbery. Authorities say he eventually will face several other charges in both counties.

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