SPOKANE, Wash. — A newly filed search warrant is shedding more light on what happened before Spokane police shot and killed a man at the North Colton Walmart.
According to a Spokane County search warrant, police shot and killed 34-year-old Kerry Jones-Hilburg because they reportedly saw an "outline of a dark colored firearm" on his shoulder holster. The officers got into a physical altercation with Jones-Hilburg because they believed he was stealing and allegedly started resisting when he was confronted. This led to Officer Karl Richardson fatally shooting him after another officer yelled, "He's got a gun!"
On the morning of Dec. 3, two on-duty Spokane police officers said they saw a man shoplift from Walmart on North Colton Street. The officers reportedly saw the man using a magnetic key to remove security devices from items before "concealing those items on his person," according to the warrant.
The officers approached the man, later identified as Jones-Hilburg, just before he exited the store and said he "began to resist immediately." The warrant states Jones-Hilburg broke free from the officers and was tased; however, he reportedly still managed to get away from the officers.
This interaction was reportedly caught on one of the officer's body cameras, according to the warrant.
Officers and Jones-Hilburg reportedly continued struggling between the north and south doors of Walmart. One of the officers' body cameras appeared to show Jones-Hilburg slowed down and was knocked to the floor after he was tased another time.
A short time later, the warrant states one of the officers yelled, "He's got a gun!" to which Jones-Hilburg yelled back, "No, I don't!" He then allegedly reached his left hand toward his chest. At that point, Richardson shot Jones-Hilburg once, ultimately killing him. Body camera footage reportedly shows Jones-Hilburg continued to resist until he lost consciousness.
According to the warrant, a detective who reviewed the body camera footage of the incident saw "the outline of a dark colored firearm which appeared to be in a shoulder holster." The detective claimed to see additional magazines as well.
Investigators also gathered security footage from Walmart. They said it shows Jones-Hilburg on his cell phone while gathering items, which they believe indicates the suspect was working with another person.
SPD said they found a gun and ammunition near Jones-Hilburg's body. According to the warrant, detectives checked the gun's serial number and discovered it was reported stolen from Airway Heights in 2021.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner identified Jones-Hilburg on Wednesday. According to the warrant, the medical examiner collected and tested a urine sample from him, which tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Jones-Hilburg's family to help with funeral expenses.
RELATED: Man accused of assaulting officer before deadly police shooting at Walmart speaks from jail cell
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