One Spokane County sheriff’s deputy has died and a second is not expected to survive after they were shot while responding to a domestic violence incident near Spangle, Washington.
The two deputies were members of the county SWAT team and were critically wounded when gunfire erupted as officers attempted to enter a home on South Smythe Road on Tuesday afternoon.
The deputy who died is survived by his wife and two children. The second remains on life support, with arrangements being considered for organ donation, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies were responding to reports of a shooting
Police were called shortly after 2.30pm after a woman arrived at a neighbour’s home with a gunshot wound and said her brother had shot her. She told emergency dispatchers that other people might still be inside the property and in immediate danger.
Deputies used drones to assess the scene and established that the suspect was believed to be armed and had an outstanding felony warrant. A person found wounded in the yard was later pronounced dead, while another victim was discovered dead inside the house.
SWAT officers and deputies approached the property after determining that at least one person remained inside. They were met with gunfire as they tried to breach the door, critically injuring both deputies.
Other officers returned fire, moved their colleagues to safety and provided medical aid. The suspect was later found dead inside the home. The woman who initially raised the alarm was taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Three people at the property died, including the suspect, while the death of the deputy brought the total number of fatalities linked to the incident to four.
Independent investigation under way
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team is investigating both the deputy-involved shooting and the original domestic violence incident. The Washington State Patrol is acting as the investigation’s point of contact.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley Police Department will not take part in the investigation because their officers were involved in the response. Once the inquiry is complete, its findings will be sent to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Three other deputies who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
The identities of the two wounded deputies have not been released. Their families have asked for privacy as they deal with the loss.
Sheriff John Nowels described them as young members of the SWAT team who trained to put themselves in danger to protect others.
Law enforcement agencies across Washington have expressed support for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Several departments changed their social media profiles to display badges covered by black-and-blue mourning bands, a traditional mark of respect for officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
