SPOKANE, Wash – Two Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies are in critical condition Tuesday night, the victims of a shooting in southwest Spokane County.
Three other people are dead, including the suspect.
Sheriff John Nowels gave an update on the chaotic scene Tuesday evening.
He said details are scarce as this is an ongoing investigation.
The first calls came in around 3:00 Tuesday afternoon. A woman went to a neighbor’s home and said she had been shot by her brother.
Within minutes of arriving at a home at South Smythe Road, deputies recognized an active threat.
“The suspect had an active felony warning and there was a belief that there were other potential victims in the house,” Sheriff Nowels said.
Deputies launched a drone and found someone on the ground. They tried to render aid, but the person was already dead.
When the SWAT team tried to breach the door, “they were met with gunfire,” the sheriff said.
The sheriff said they believe the suspect is dead, along with another person inside the home.
WSP helped shut down Highway 195 to transport one deputy to Sacred Heart Medical Center. Another was taken by helicopter to the hospital where they’re in critical condition.
The injured deputies are “young members of our SWAT team who show up every day to train to put themselves in harm’s way,” Sheriff Nowels said.
“Both deputies have two very young children, I ask that you respect their privacy,” Sheriff Nowels said.
Lanes of 195 remained closed until 9:30 Tuesday night. Sheriff Nowels said this will remain a crime scene “for quite some time” but there is no ongoing threat.
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