Gunman in fatal shooting released

Detectives have released the gunman in a shooting Thursday that killed 24-year-old Joshua A. Smith, of Spokane, because of “possible self-defense issues,” a police spokesman said.

The two men had a personal dispute that dated to Wednesday evening near Eighth Avenue and Thor Street, Spokane police Cpl. Tom Lee said. On Thursday evening, Smith was dropping off a friend who lives in the same area, and the argument escalated.

During the heated dispute, the gunman shot Smith twice in the chest with a handgun. Smith did not have a gun, Lee said.

Police declined to release the name of the gunman or the nature of the dispute, though neighbors said several residents on the street often yell at drivers who speed down the dirt road between Thor and Freya streets.

Lee said “several people have brought that up” to investigators. The shooter lives in the neighborhood, Lee said.

Police questioned the shooter and several witnesses Thursday night but were hoping to locate more witnesses, Lee said. No arrests had been made as of late Friday.

Friends of Smith, who had no local criminal record, told police he had been in the military.

Detectives were on the scene Friday morning to collect more evidence, Lee said. On Thursday night, police found a handgun and at least one shell casing.

A neighbor called 911 at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday to report an argument between two men in the middle of Eighth Avenue. Shots were fired, Lee said, and when police arrived Smith was lying on the ground bleeding.

“He was in serious, serious health issues right from the get-go,” Lee said.

An officer performed CPR until medics arrived, and they took Smith to Deaconess Medical Center. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, Lee said.