Gun found near man shot by police

Investigators found a pistol near the body of a man shot to death by Spokane police Saturday night outside of a Hillyard tavern, authorities said Sunday.

Police were dispatched to the Special K Tavern after receiving a 911 call Saturday about a man with a gun inside the bar, but it remains unclear what prompted the fatal gunfire. The 911 caller told dispatchers that her companion had gone outside with the man to “talk him down,” according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the shooting.

Police located the armed man in the parking lot of the tavern, where he was shot. Officers performed CPR in an unsuccessful attempt to save him.

The Sheriff’s Office gave no indication Sunday whether the man fired on officers. It also is not yet clear how many officers were involved.

Two friends who arrived at the scene after the incident identified the shooting victim as 34-year-old Jeremy Groom, of Spokane, but police have not yet confirmed his identity.