Deputy shoots suspect near Deer Lake

A person suspected of numerous vehicle prowls in rural Stevens County is in serious condition in a Spokane hospital after being shot by a Stevens County Sherriff’s deputy early this morning. Details of what led to the shooting are still sketchy, but the incident began when the sheriff’s office received numerous reports of vehicle prowling in the area about 1:18 a.m., according to police. A firearm was stolen from one of the vehicles. Police said deputies contacted the suspect on the 4300 block of E. Deer Lake Road about 3:00 a.m. and shots were fired. It is unclear how many deputies fired, how many shots were fired or who fired first. The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team, which includes detectives from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police Department and Washington State Patrol, is investigating. Stevens County Sheriff’s detectives are at the scene assisting in the investigation. The suspects name is being withheld, but the Deer Park Tribune identified him as 23-year-old Trinity Lopez. The deputies’ names will be released later by the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators have recovered items they believe were taken during the vehicle prowls, police said. The weapon recovered from the suspect matches the description of the weapon taken from the car earlier this morning.