SPOKANE-- The domestic violence suspect killed in a Spokane Valley officer involved shooting Wednesday, was shot 6 times.
The shooting occurred Wednesday just after noon, in the backyard of 1309 N. Skipworth Ct.
Wednesday morning, a 69 year old woman ran to a neighbor's house for help according to Spokane Police. She told the neighbor she had been stabbed the night before and held against her will by her boyfriend. He also stole her cell phone, car keys and purse, preventing her from calling police overnight. The neighbor immediately called police and Spokane Valley Deputies responded.
Deputies learned the suspect had stabbed the victim in the arm the previous night and held her at knife point so she couldn't call police. He had stolen the victim's Mercedes before officers responded.
While two deputies were parked in front of the victim's house, the suspect returned in the stolen Mercedes. Deputies had probable cause to arrest him for 2nd Degree Assault when he returned. When the suspect saw the deputies, he turned around in the cul de sac and fled the area.
According to a release from Spokane Police, the responding deputies were aware the suspect was homicidal, suicidal and likely armed. During the pursuit, the victim was advised to lock her doors and close the garage door.
The vehicle pursuit lasted only a few blocks when the suspect fled from the car near Boone and Pierce. The suspect jumped over fences, running through several yards towards the victim's house.
Police say the deputies feared the suspect was attempting to return to the victim's home so they returned to protect the victim.
As the suspect climbed over the backyard fence of the victim's home, two deputies confronted him. Deputies were concerned the suspect would get inside the home and further assault the victim according to Spokane Police.
A confrontation occurred in the backyard of 1309 N. Skipworth Ct. and one deputy fired 5 rounds from his handgun, striking the suspect in the torso. The second deputy fired one round from his shotgun, striking the suspect in the torso.
Other deputies continued to respond and began performing CPR until medics arrived. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect has an extensive criminal history including domestic violence assaults according to Spokane Police.
The suspect's identity has not been released, pending next of kin notification. KREM 2 News will wait for Spokane Police to release his name.
Spokane Police announced Thursday that other media published the mistaken identity of the suspect.
