SPOKANE, Wash. — The man who Spokane police shot and killed while investigating a potential arson has been identified.
According to the Spokane County Medical Examiner, the man shot and killed by police is 38-year-old Alan Jenks. His cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and extremities. His manner of death has been determined to be a homicide.
Jenks was reportedly shot and killed by two Spokane police officers following a suspicious house fire in West Central Spokane on Sunday night. Police claim Jenks was not cooperative while being interviewed about the incident and tried to walk away during questioning.
Officers tried to detain Jenks, at which point police say he shot a gun he was carrying. Two officers shot back at him, ultimately hitting and killing him on the scene. No police officers or other first responders were injured.
On Tuesday morning, police arrested 43-year-old Nicholes Whitney on six counts of first-degree arson. Investigators allege he is responsible for setting the fire inside the home.
As per police protocol, the officers involved will be placed on administrative leave. Officers were equipped with body cameras at the time of the incident.
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response team (SIIR) will conduct the investigation. The SIIR team is comprised of multiple agencies in Eastern Washington, including the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol and the Spokane Police Department.
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