Man shot in North Spokane backyard, expected to survive

A man in his 20s is expected to survive after being shot in the abdomen early Thursday morning in a North Spokane neighborhood.

Police said the shooting took place before 6 a.m. in a backyard near North Maple Street and West Shannon Avenue. The man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police spokeswoman Officer Teresa Fuller said details about the incident still are scarce.

“We’re not getting too much cooperation from the individuals,” Fuller said. “From what we’re gathering, there was a some kind of struggle over a firearm, but that’s about all we have at the moment.”

Investigators are still on scene interviewing the other man involved. Fuller said police won’t identify either man until they determine the nature of the shooting.