Sheriff’s Office: Suspect found dead in Liberty Park likely died of self-inflicted gunshot wound
SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has released new information that details the moments before a shooting suspect was found dead in Liberty Park.
Authorities said a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer tried to stop the suspect, who has not yet been identified, for a traffic violation early Monday just north of Northern Quest Casino. The suspect reportedly drove off and led multiple agencies on a car chase.
Airway Heights Police and Kalispel Tribal Police responded to help and reported the suspect fired several shots at them while trying to run other cars off the road.
The suspect turned his lights off while driving east on I-90 and took the Lincoln Street exit. Officers said they momentarily lost sight of the vehicle near 6th and Denver, and found it unoccupied just moments later.
Officers from the Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police and Washington State Patrol all responded to help set up a perimeter. A K9 unit arrived and Air Support were also called in to assist.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies reported the suspect fired his weapon again during a K9 track. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons in response. Ultimately, the SWAT team moved forward to try and contact the suspect, but found he had no pulse.
The Sheriff’s Office said the suspect suffered a single gunshot wound and it appeared to be self-inflicted.
The identity of the suspect and cause of death will be formally released by the Spokane County Medical Examiner following an autopsy.
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