In brief: Man shot by police near shelter recovering, faces assault charge

The man shot by Spokane police in East Spokane near Truth Ministries shelter Thursday night is expected to survive and faces an assault charge related to the incident.

Aaron D. Johnson, 29, was shot after a report came to police that a man was threatening people with a knife at the shelter, according to police. Officers found him in an alley behind the shelter.

The Washington State Patrol, which is leading the investigation into the incident, said Johnson will be charged with second-degree assault. He remains hospitalized at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and is expected to survive, police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said Friday.

Police said Johnson refused orders to drop the knife and advanced on officers even after they used a Taser on him. Two officers fired their guns, wounding Johnson. Their names have not yet been released.

In 2013, Johnson was sentenced to 364 days in jail and 24 months probation for two counts of fourth-degree assault as well as eight months in jail with credit given for 247 days served after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence-riot.

A man who declined to provide his name and who lives on East First Avenue within a block of the shooting said he heard six shots while on his front porch working on a bike.

“It was pretty fast,” he said. “If it was a tad faster, it would have sounded like a bundle of firecrackers going off.”

Staff reports

Wallace mining museum receives statewide service award, $10,000

The Wallace District Mining Museum has received the 2013 Sister Alfreda Elsensohn Award for outstanding service.

Given annually by the Idaho Humanities Council, Idaho State Historical Society and Idaho Heritage Trust, the award includes a $10,000 gift to be used by the museum to continue its educational efforts.

The Wallace museum was recognized for being a leader in providing digitized access to its research collections. In recent years, the museum has also redesigned its exhibits and provided professional assistance to other Idaho museums.

The award will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the museum, 509 Bank St., in Wallace. A reception will continue until 6 p.m.

Becky Kramer