Wash. Deputy Dies, Another Not Expected to Survive After Domestic Violence Call
What to Know
- A Spokane County sheriff's deputy has died and another is on life support and not expected to survive after they came under fire while responding to a domestic violence shooting in Spangle.
- Authorities say a woman escaped the home after being shot by her brother and told deputies others remained inside; three people, including the suspect, were later found dead.
- The deputies were praised for moving toward danger to protect others, and tributes poured in from law enforcement agencies and public officials across Washington.
The deputies responded shortly before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to a domestic violence shooting at a house in Spangle, a tiny town near Spokane. A woman ran to a neighbor's house and reported she had been shot by her brother. According to Nowels, she said others were still inside and at risk.
Deputies flew a drone and found a person down in the yard. The person was later confirmed to be dead. Law enforcement also learned the suspect had an active warrant for his arrest.
About 50 minutes later, a SWAT team and deputies approached the home and shots were fired from inside, critically injuring the two deputies.
Other deputies returned fire.
The suspect and another person in the house were later found dead.
The Spokane police SWAT team and the Kootenai County SWAT team also responded to the scene, since "the suspect's whereabouts were unknown," according to Nowels.
The deputies were taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where one of them died, as the Washington State Patrol and other local agencies closed a portion of Interstate 90 and Highway 195 to clear the way for emergency responders.
A woman who was shot and injured also was taken to Sacred Heart for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Tributes to the deputies began pouring in Tuesday afternoon from agencies and public officials across the state.
"My prayers remain with the families of these deputies," Gov. Bob Ferguson wrote in a social media post.
A statement from the Washington State Patrol said the deputies' "bravery and commitment to serving others is a testament to character and courage that can never be forgotten.
Spokane police and the Washington State Patrol were investigating the shooting. Three deputies were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
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