Deputy wounds fugitive in shootout

Spokane police identified the man on the wrong end of a shootout with a Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy early Friday as a convicted felon wanted for escape.

Authorities said Jason L. Mann, 25, fired a gun at a deputy, who returned fire. The deputy was not hurt, and Mann remained in serious condition Friday night at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

The exchange of gunfire occurred about 2:40 a.m., after a foot pursuit that started as a traffic stop at Second Avenue and Thor, said Spokane police Officer Glenn Bartlett.

A deputy made a traffic stop in a parking lot and arrested the driver for driving on a suspended license, Bartlett said. But Mann, who was a passenger in the car fled.

Other deputies were called in to look for him while the first deputy stayed at the car, Bartlett said.

One of them located Mann behind a Conoco station at Third and Thor.

“When that deputy approached the individual, he opened fire on the deputy,” Bartlett said. “The deputy returned fire, striking the person.”

Bartlett did not know how many times Mann was shot.

The second deputy took him into custody and rendered aid until he could be transported to Sacred Heart.

Authorities did not release the identity of the deputy who fired the shots or others involved in the incident.

Mann had been sought on a felony escape warrant.

But he could face charges relating to Friday’s shooting.

The sheriff’s office invoked its “officer-involved shooting” protocol, which calls for Spokane police detectives to take over the lead investigation with assistance from sheriff’s detectives.

“We have the major crimes unit here investigating,” Bartlett said.

He did not know why the first deputy made the traffic stop or whether he saw something happening in the parking lot.

“In addition to the one suspect, the driver is being interviewed by our major crimes detectives,” Bartlett said.

The scene is located within city limits.

Bartlett said it’s common for deputies to make traffic stops in the city, even though deputies are tasked to patrol the county.

“To get back from the county they have to come into the city,” Bartlett said.

“If you see something, you definitely want to address it.”