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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stevens County man killed in confrontation

Deputies were responding to suicide threat

A Stevens County man was shot and killed during a confrontation with Stevens County sheriff’s deputies Friday night.

Authorities released few details in the wake of the shooting Saturday, but said sheriff’s deputies were responding to a call from a suicidal man about 10:50 p.m. when the shooting occurred.

Stevens County dispatch received a call from the man, who lived at 3675 Deer Creek Road in southern Stevens County, according to sheriff’s Capt. Andy Harbolt. Deputies arrived on scene, a shot was fired and the caller was hit.

Emergency crews responded, but the man was later pronounced dead at the scene, Harbolt said.

It was unclear Saturday what precipitated the shooting or how many deputies were involved, but none of the deputies was injured. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

According to Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen, a search warrant was executed at the residence. He expects to receive a briefing on the shooting this week.

An autopsy will be scheduled for sometime this week, after which the Stevens County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s identity, Harbolt said.

The multi-agency Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team responded to investigate, with the assistance of the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. According to protocol, the deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

After the investigation is completed and reviewed, the Stevens County Prosecutor’s Office will make a charging decision.

The last officer-involved shooting in Stevens County occurred last November at Benny’s Colville Inn. Prosecutors ruled in February a Colville police officer was justified when he shot and killed a car-prowling suspect who investigators say was armed with a stolen gun.

In that incident, investigators said Sean Bergstrasser, 21, grabbed a gun in a motel room and pointed it at Officer Dan Spring, who shot Bergstrasser.