North Spokane SWAT standoff ends, man in custody

June 29, 2021 7:07 PM

Matthew Kincanon, Kaitlin Knapp,

Posted: June 29, 2021 7:07 PM

Updated: June 29, 2021 9:19 PM

SPOKANE, Wash. — After a six hour standoff, SWAT was able to take a wanted man into custody after he had barricaded himself in his home in north Spokane.

The standoff started at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, when police were notified that 42-year-old Eli Smith was in a house near N. Howard St. and W. Dalke Ave. Police said Smith was wanted for violating a domestic violence protection order protecting his girlfriend. They added he also had an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant for riot with a deadly weapon.

When officers arrive at the scene, they said Smith’s girlfriend was there, which created another violation of the order, and she was safely escorted away from the scene.

Police said Smith has previously made threatening statements to law enforcement and today made threats of wanting to harm himself. Additional resources were summoned to the scene due to these threats, which included hostage negotiators, SWAT, K9 and SPD drone unit assets to ensure Smith could safely be taken into custody.

After six hours, Smith was located hiding in a crawlspace in the house and taken into custody. He was transported to the Spokane Regional Jail Facility where he was booked on the charges.

Police said Smith has an extensive criminal history consisting of 14 felony convictions and 13 gross misdemeanors. These include, but not limited to, criminal mischief with a deadly weapon, taking motor vehicle without permission, no contact order violations, assault, unlawful imprisonment, possession of stolen property and hit and run.