Attempted vehicle theft forces Valley Christian, Horizon Middle into temporary lockdowns

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Valley Christian School and Horizon Middle School were placed in modified lockdowns Tuesday morning as police searched for a suspect in the area.

Corporal Mark Gregory said there was a reported vehicle theft near the schools. The vehicle owner reportedly saw a man trying to steal the vehicle and an altercation ensued between the two.

According to a press release later in the day, the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Corey M. Munnerlyn, was caught in the act trying to steal a car from a man near Eighth and Farr. Police say the victim was letting his truck idle in the driveway while he was loading it with tools. When he came out, he said the engine sounded different, and the steering wheel appeared to move.

As he approached his truck, Munnerlyn, reportedly in the driver’s seat, slammed the gas and sped off. The victim was able to jump in the back of the truck bed, and started trying to punch out the window into the cab.

Police say he eventually broke through and climbed in, at which point Munnerlyn stopped the car, got out and walked away.

When the victim tried to hold him until police arrived, Munnerlyn allegedly pulled out a knife and slashed his hand. The victim then got into a fist fight with him, which ended with Munnerlyn running away.

Corporal Gregory said that Munnerlyn got away and walked into the Valley Christian School office. He reportedly asked to use the phone because someone was “trying to beat him up.”
According to Gregory, the school let him use the phone, then he left the building.

Authorities arrived and advised the schools be locked down as a precautionary measure. No one at either of the schools was ever threatened or felt threatened.

Munnerlyn told Deputies that he was just walking by when the victim freaked out on him and attacked him with a knife. Deputies found a small pocketknife on Munnerlyn when they took him into custody.

Munnerlyn has been booked into the Spokane County Jail for theft of a motor vehicle and second-degree assault.

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