Police identify, charge woman accused of brandishing BB gun in N. Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. — Police have identified and charged a woman accused of driving drunk, brandishing a fake weapon and getting into a short standoff with officers in North Spokane.

Amanda Lipe, 26, now faces several charges stemming from the incident Thursday night.

A corporal was at a red light on Northwest Blvd and Maple St around 8:45 p.m. As the light turned green, he reported hearing a car speeding nearby.

The corporal tried to stop the car, which was weaving in and out of traffic, but the suspect did not stop. The corporal stopped following the driver, later identified as Lipe, near Howard and Indiana due to safety concerns.

A short time later, the corporal drove past Division St and Indiana and noticed a collision. SPD said Lipe was involved.

Lipe reportedly got out of her car and pulled out what officers thought was a gun. It was later identified as a BB gun.

Police said she never pointed the BB gun at officers, nor at civilians, but screamed at everyone around. The incident then led to a short standoff.

According to police, Lipe ultimately cooperated and put down the BB gun. They took her into custody without incident, but did notice the smell of the alcohol on her person.

Lipe is a felon and has two previous convictions of second-degree assault. She was booked into the Spokane County Jail for attempting to elude a police vehicle, driving under the influence, third-degree driving with a license suspended and brandishing a firearm.

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