Man killed in downtown Spokane shooting; shooter cooperating with police

A man died after being shot late Tuesday in downtown Spokane.

Spokane police were called just before 10 p.m. to Second Avenue and Lincoln Street on a report of a shooting, Spokane police said in a news release. A man claiming to be the shooter called police as they were responding. He stayed on scene and was cooperative.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Jason M. Pederson, 37. Pederson died of two gunshot wounds, one to the neck and one to the abdomen, according to a news release provided by the office.

The death has been ruled a homicide. Police have not made any arrests and an investigation is ongoing, according to Cpl. Teresa Fuller, a public information officer with the police.

Witnesses who heard parts of the incident said it sounded like two people were arguing or shouting before the shooting occurred. Police were working Tuesday to determine if the shooter and victim knew each other, the news release said.

Monte McCune, who was sleeping on the corner of Second Avenue and Post Street in front of the Carlyle Care Center, said he heard shots ring out from the Steam Plant alleyway between the Steam Plant and Washington Trust Bank.

“I wasn’t sure if it was a running gunfight or what,” the 48-year-old man said. “But I heard two rapid-succession shots then two timed shots after that. Bang bang. Bang … bang.”

Police are asking that anyone with information on the shooting who hasn’t yet talked to investigators call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.