SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A violent multi-jurisdictional crime spree that left a trail of fear and tragedy across Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho ended in Spokane Valley on Sunday morning in a fatal police-involved shooting. The suspect, who authorities say was responsible for a string of bold thefts, shootings, and a deadly carjacking, was killed by law enforcement following a high-risk pursuit that spanned several communities.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the chaotic series of events began late Saturday night when law enforcement agencies across Kootenai County, Idaho, began receiving reports of a suspect allegedly involved in multiple armed robberies. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released pending next-of-kin notification, was reportedly seen fleeing the scene of at least one shooting in Post Falls before crossing state lines into Washington.
The crime spree escalated early Sunday in State Line Village, a small community straddling the Idaho-Washington border. Around 6:45 a.m., 911 dispatchers received multiple calls about a violent carjacking near a local gas station. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire, and authorities later confirmed that one person — a local resident in their 40s — was fatally shot during the incident. The suspect fled the scene in the stolen vehicle, heading west into Spokane Valley.
Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions — including the Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force — coordinated to track and intercept the suspect. Deputies and officers located the stolen vehicle near the intersection of Sprague Avenue and Sullivan Road just before 8:00 a.m. A high-speed pursuit ensued through a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
During the chase, the suspect reportedly fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers, striking at least one patrol vehicle. Miraculously, no officers or bystanders were injured during the gunfire exchange. The pursuit came to an end near a shopping complex when the suspect lost control of the stolen vehicle and crashed.
Law enforcement surrounded the wreckage and issued commands, but according to initial reports, the suspect exited the vehicle armed and failed to comply with officers’ orders. Several agencies opened fire, fatally striking the individual. Medical personnel responded immediately, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team has launched an inquiry into the officer-involved shooting, which will include review of body-worn camera footage, forensic analysis, and interviews with all involved parties. As standard procedure, the officers directly involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
In a joint statement, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels and Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis expressed condolences to the family of the carjacking victim and gratitude that no law enforcement personnel or civilians were hurt in the final confrontation.
“This suspect posed an imminent and deadly threat to the public and our officers,” Sheriff Nowels said. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, and we will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served for the lives impacted by this senseless crime spree.”
The identity of the deceased suspect, as well as the victim of the fatal carjacking, will be released once families have been notified. Meanwhile, investigators are working to determine whether the suspect may have been connected to additional crimes in the region over the past 48 hours.
As the Spokane Valley community recovers from the violent events, local leaders are urging calm and patience while the full investigation unfolds. Residents with any information related to the suspect’s movements or potential crimes are asked to contact the SIIR Team or their local law enforcement agency.
This incident marks a sobering reminder of how quickly violence can escalate across jurisdictions, and how coordinated response and swift action from multiple agencies can bring dangerous situations to an end — even when the resolution turns tragic.
