Shooting suspect in jail on $500,000 bond

The 22-year-old man charged with shooting a Spokane Valley homeowner in the arm Tuesday was ordered Wednesday to remain in jail on a $500,000 bond.

Brandon M. Osborne, 22, appeared Wednesday before District Court Judge Harold Clarke. Osborne, who was hit in the back by two buckshot pellets from an officer’s shotgun, faces first-degree assault, robbery and kidnapping charges following a bizarre series of events Tuesday morning.

The incident started just before 8 a.m. when a parked Toyota’s window exploded just as two neighbors were talking to each other from across the street in the 500 block of South Koren, Spokane Valley Police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

Investigators believe Osborne had broken into a car and slept there. They believe the window exploded when Osborne’s gun went off, Reagan said.

Osborne fled the car but the homeowner chased him down the street. As the homeowner started to gain on the suspect, he turned and pointed the gun at the homeowner, Reagan said. That homeowner returned home and called police.

A few minutes later, another man was shoveling his sidewalk in the 5400 block of East Fourth Avenue when he was confronted by a gun-wielding man, Reagan said.

The gunman demanded the other man’s keys and ordered him into the back of his own van, Reagan said. The man complied, but then fled, fearing the gunman would take him hostage, Reagan said.

The suspect left the van and then forced his way into another house on East Fourth. A 39-year-old homeowner confronted the gunman, who responded by shooting the homeowner in the arm.

About the same time, officers responded to reports of gunshots and saw Osborne pointing his gun at the injured 39-year-old homeowner. One of three officers at the scene fired at Osborne with a shotgun and two pellets caused superficial wounds to his back, Reagan said. All three officers remain on administrative leave.