SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is investigating a shooting that occurred after a reported vehicle theft on Friday, Dec. 13 that left one man in the hospital.
SCSO says deputies responded to a reported vehicle theft from a residence near West Charles Road and North Dover Road around 8:40 p.m.
SCSO reports that the owner of the car was attempting to follow the suspect in another vehicle. SCSO also received a separate report of gunshots being heard in the area of West Four Mound Road east of North Landt Farms Lane.
The owner of the car admitted to deputies that he had shot at the theft suspect, who then abandoned the car in a ditch off West Four Mound Road. The owner said he located blood in the car after the suspect fled in an unknown direction on foot.
A nearby resident later reported that a bleeding man was banging on their front door. Deputies, assisted by officers from the Spokane Police Department, the Airway Heights Police Department and the Kalispel Tribal Police Department located the suspect and provided medical aid before transporting him to a hospital. SCSO says the suspect is in serious but stable condition.
The car owner was detained by SCSO and interviewed by investigators but was later released. Authorities seized a handgun and two vehicles as evidence and processed multiple scenes related to the incident.
SCSO says since the suspect remains hospitalized and has not been formally charged, his identity has not been released.
SCSO says this is an ongoing investigation.