SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane police officer who shot and killed a man inside a North Spokane Walmart over the weekend has been identified.
According to the Spokane Police Department (SPD), Officer Karl Richardson fired his gun at and killed 34-year-old Kerry Jones-Hilburg inside a Walmart on North Colton Street on Dec. 3, 2023. A Spokane native, SPD said Richardson joined the department in 2019 after spending three years as a cop in Montana.
Jones-Hilburg was killed and Richardson and one other police officer were injured in an incident at the Walmart on North Colton St Sunday. The shooting is being investigated by the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team. At this time, Spokane police can't say anything about the shooting.
According to SPD, one of its officers requested backup for shoplifter prevention at approximately 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Julie Humphreys, SPD's communication manager, told KREM 2 the department holds shoplifting emphasis "specials" regularly, where on-duty officers will be assigned to a store to help deter shoplifting.
It is not clear if Richardson was working with shoplifter prevention.
Backup arrived and worked with the other officer to confront the suspect, later identified as Jones-Hilburg, according to SPD.
When he was approached about the alleged shoplifting, SPD said a prolonged physical confrontation happened.
At some point, someone in the story yelled "Gun," and just before 10:30 a.m., Richardson fired his firearm, killing Jones-Hilburg, according to SPD.
SPD said they found a gun and ammunition on Jones-Hilburg. Discharged tasers were also found in the area.
Both officers were hurt during the fight and were not shot, according to SPD. One officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and the other's condition isn't known. No one else in the store was hurt.
Another man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer while the confrontation happened. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail on Wednesday evening and charged with third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.
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