AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — No one was seriously injured after an officer fired his weapon during an arrest at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Monday afternoon, according to police.
According to Airway Heights Police Department spokesperson Erin Johnson, Kalispel police responded at about 12:50 p.m. to the casino after reports of a person suspected of theft and trespassing. Airway Heights officers also responded at one point.
The suspect allegedly got into a vehicle when officer tried to stop him, according to Johnson, and allegedly refused to obey and tried to flee the scene. Johnson said that the suspect allegedly hit a total of three cars, including two police vehicles and another vehicle in parking lot. One of the police vehicles was occupied while the other two vehicles were empty, according to Johnson.
During the incident, a police officer fired his weapon, according to Johnson, but no one was seriously injured and the suspect refused medical attention. Whether the officer was with Airway Heights or Kalispel and if the suspect was shot has not been released.
Johnson said the suspect had a previous warrant out for his arrest and the Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team, or SIRR, is investigating the shooting.
The incident prompted a heavy police presence at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Monday afternoon.
The incident is currently under investigation, said Northern Quest spokesperson Julie Holland. Two Kalispel Tribal Police officers who responded to the scene were uninjured, while the suspect is suffering from injuries that are not life-threatening.
Holland did not have additional information to provide about what led up to the incident.
KREM photojournalist Dave Somers was turned away from the scene by Kalispel Tribal Police.
Somers photographed police vehicles, and at least one ambulance and fire engine, at Northern Quest. One area of the parking lot was blocked off by police tape.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information is made available.