Spokane County, Wash. – A tragic loss struck the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday when two of its deputies were shot during a SWAT response to a domestic‑violence call in the farming community of Spangle, located south of Spokane.
Incident details
According to a written statement from Sheriff John Nowels, deputies were dispatched after a woman reported that her brother had shot her. When officers arrived, they learned the suspect carried a felony warrant and that additional victims might be present. SWAT team members and other deputies attempted to breach the residence, but gunfire erupted from inside the home.
Both deputies were struck by gunfire and rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. One deputy succumbed to his injuries later that night. The second deputy remains on life support as doctors assess his condition. The sheriff’s office noted that the surviving deputy’s organs will be donated, allowing him to continue serving the community in a profound way.
Family and department response
While the identities of the fallen officers have not been released, Sheriff Nowels described them as younger members of the SWAT team. The deputy who died left behind a wife and two children. “Although we know our deputies knew the risks, they bravely moved toward danger to protect others they did not know,” the statement read. “They did this with honor and with an unwavering sense of duty.”
The department’s statement added, “He will continue to serve others with the gift of life,” referring to the organ donation.
Suspect and additional victims
Other deputies returned fire, and the suspect was found dead inside the home. Authorities also discovered one additional victim inside the house and another in the yard. The names of the victims and the suspect have not been released pending notification of families.
The woman who initially reported being shot by her brother was hospitalized with non‑life‑threatening injuries.
Ongoing investigation
Spokane County investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, including the suspect’s background and the events that precipitated the call for assistance. Sheriff Nowels thanked the community for its support and urged anyone with further information to contact the sheriff’s office.
This incident underscores the inherent dangers faced by law‑enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has pledged to provide ongoing updates as the investigation proceeds.
Original reporting: KPTV FOX 12 Portland (news) — read the source article.
