SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A party in Spokane Valley over the Thanksgiving holiday turned deadly after police say a man shot at his friends in his basement.
According to a press release from the Spokane Valley Police Department (SVPD), several people were attending the party where alcohol and hard drugs were being used before the shooting took place around 4:30 a.m.
Court documents identified 30-year-old Zachary McGlocklin as the suspect in the shooting. According to court documents, most of the people present at the party described the shooting as "unprovoked," and they said there were no arguments or altercations before the incident. The Spokane County Medical Examiner identified the victim of the shooting as 29-year-old Destin Cooper.
A witness said that she and her friends were drinking and taking acid in the basement of the home before the gunshots were heard. According to court documents, she said she heard five gunshots before she witnessed the victim fall over and crash into a coffee table.
Court documents say the suspect came back into the room with a pistol and fired it multiple times. The victims took cover behind nearby furniture. Once McGlocklin stopped shooting, the four remaining victims ran outside the house and drove away to call police.
According to a testimony from one of the witnesses, McGlocklin was seen standing over Cooper and saying something to the effect of, "Whose cocaine is better now, [expletive]?"
Court documents say the suspect admitted to shooting at the victim. But he claims the victim shot at him first. Investigators recovered only one firearm from the scene.
Cooper was found with traumatic head injuries and a gun beside his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
As new of Cooper's death spread, it's become clear the number of lives he touched. Those who knew him are still processing this loss. Some of his closest friends said they call him a brother and best friend. They say he was caring, funny and always showed up for them.
"Destin was an amazing person who would do anything for anyone," one friend wrote. "He had the biggest heart and was loved by so many."
"He cared deeply for anyone around him, good and bad," another friend wrote.
A GoFundMe account has been created to cover funeral expenses for Cooper. A gathering to honor his life is also set for this Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. at Stockwell's.
McGlocklin was detained as soon as deputies arrived. He is charged with second-degree murder and four counts of second-degree assault. He is currently booked into the Spokane County Jail. His bond is set at $1 million.