Domestic violence suspect dies after being shot by Spokane police

Two Spokane officers shot and killed a suspect around 5 p.m. Thursday  near Airway Heights, Sgt. Teresa Fuller said.

The man died despite a surgeon’s efforts, according to a Spokane Police Department news release. The man was suspected of pistol-whipping his ex-wife and firing a gun in her residence, Fuller said.

The man was wanted on suspicion of domestic violence-related crimes, including two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts second-degree assault and one count of second-degree malicious mischief, based on two incidents, the release said.

Monday, he was suspected of breaking into his ex’s residence Monday and firing a weapon. Wednesday, police suspect he pistol-whipped her, the release said. He also had an unrelated felony warrant for unlawful imprisonment.

Members of the department’s Patrol Anti-Crime Team and the Special Investigative Unit were following up on information passed on by SPD’s Domestic Violence Team Thursday, the release said.

Police learned he was at the Bell Motel  near Airway Heights. The suspect arrived in an RV. As he exited, Fuller said, police saw he was armed with a pistol. Fuller said she could not say if the suspect fired.

There was “an exchange of words between the officers and the suspect” before two officers fired their weapons, the release said.

By 6 p.m., witnesses said there were still multiple police cars at the motel and an ambulance.

The Spokane Independent Investigation Response Team, made up of law enforcement from several local agencies, is investigating the shooting, the release said.