Medical Examiner’s identify North Spokane shooting victim, rule death as homicide

The Spokane Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim of a shooting Sunday in North Spokane and ruled his death a homicide.

According to court documents, Kionte M. Bullard, 21, was shot about 2:25 a.m. in front of his car, parked in front of a duplex at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Nelson Street near Andrew Rypien Field in Hillyard.

Just before he was shot, Bullard and a friend had parked in the neighborhood and were picking up his girlfriend and their 1-month-old baby. Bullard left his friend in the car and made several trips from the house to the vehicle before returning with the baby to put him in a car seat. Witnesses heard several gunshots and saw a white SUV with its headlights turned off speed away, according to documents.

The victim’s girlfriend said she was inside when the shooting occurred and initially thought the noise was fireworks. When she came outside, she saw Bullard on the ground and retrieved the baby from the vehicle. A witness attempted first aid until officers and other emergency responders arrived.

Before driving to pick up his girlfriend and child, witnesses said, Bullard was involved in an argument outside a bar in downtown Spokane. During the incident, according to documents, several of the victim’s friends and family members were arguing with others, and Bullard indicated he would be willing to fight a person who was arguing with a member of his family. Later during the same conflict, the individual indicated he may have a gun in his pocket, documents state. A witness told police Bullard offered his hand as a gesture of goodwill and the other party did not accept.

The Spokane Police Department Major Crimes Unit is investigating Bullard’s death.