Man shot by Stevens Co. deputy charged with assault

A Stevens County man shot by law enforcement in March has been charged with six felonies, including assault against the sheriff’s deputy who shot him. Trinidy Capone Lopez, 24, is accused of pointing a stolen semi-automatic Taurus .380 caliber pistol at Deputy Travis Frizzell before Frizzell shot him March in an upstairs bedroom at his parents’ home at 4359 E. Deer Lake Road. Lopez was suspected of vehicle prowlings outside a bar; he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous felony conviction Stevens County Prosecutors Tim Rasmussen recently determined the shooting was justified and declined to file criminal charges against Frizzell, an eight-year law enforcement veteran who is back on patrol. Lopez was charged today in Stevens County Superior Court with second-degree assault, possessing a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and three counts of second-degree vehicle prowling. The second-degree assault charge includes an aggravating factor that brings an additional year in prison because the victim was a law enforcement official and a gun was involved. Lopez has recovered since being shot by Frizzell, who said he told Lopez to drop his gun at least three times. Frizzell and Deputy Greg Gowin found items stolen in the vehicle prowlings inside the home, including a stereo, GPS unit, checkbook and a guitar amplifier. Lopez denied stealing anything in March but has not returned messages seeking additional comment. Lopez has not been arrested. Prosecutors are asking a judge to issue a summons, which means he could stay out of jail pending trial if he shows up for his arraignment. Lopez is already scheduled for trial in Spokane County Superior Court on unrelated drug and theft charges.