Man shot by Spokane police was armed, had criminal past

Associated Press

SPOKANE — A man shot to death by police after a New Year’s Eve scuffle with two officers was armed and had a criminal record, the police chief said Wednesday.

The 33-year-old man’s name was not released because his relatives have not yet been located, Chief Roger Bragdon said.

It was the third time in the past five months that Spokane police shot a person, after going six years without an officer-involved shooting.

An autopsy showed the man was shot eight times at close range by two officers about 10:30 p.m. Monday, Bragdon said.

The shots were fired after a scuffle during which a handgun carried by the victim discharged, Bragdon said. The two officers pulled back from the suspect after the gunshot and drew their weapons, while the man tried to rise to his feet, Bragdon said.

"The officers felt threatened and opened fire at that time," Bragdon said.

The officers were about 4 feet away, the chief said. Seven of the bullets struck the man’s back, and one his shoulder.

Police do not know why the man was carrying a pistol or why he tried to draw on the officers, Bragdon said.

The dead man had five convictions in Washington and North Carolina for assault, possession of a firearm, vehicle theft and other crimes. He had two outstanding warrants, one for forgery in Spokane and one for escape in Chehalis, police said.

In September 2000, the same man confronted Spokane police officers with a knife and told them to shoot, police said. He was taken into custody without gunshots.

Monday’s encounter began when two officers in a patrol car started following a vehicle that had picked up a passenger in a high-crime area.

The car pulled suddenly into a parking lot and the victim got out on the passenger side and began walking away quickly, Bragdon said.

Officers ordered him to stop. The man first refused to take his hands out of his coat pockets, then removed his hands and was holding a two-way radio, Bragdon said.

The man returned his hands to his pockets as officers approached and tried to take hold of his arms, Bragdon said.

The man was wrestled to the ground, and a .22-caliber pistol he was carrying discharged, Bragdon said.

No one was struck by that bullet.

After the man was shot, his handgun was found cocked and loaded on the ground, Bragdon said.

"He wasn’t done fighting yet," the chief said. "The officers took very correct action."

The gunman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The veteran officers — Alan Edwards and Gene Baldwin — were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

The shooting is being investigated by both the police department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, which is also standard for officer-involved shootings.

Toxicology tests to determine if the victim was drunk or on drugs will not be completed for several weeks, Bragdon said.

On Dec. 20, officer Christopher Lewis shot and wounded Steven James Waddell, who was accused of trying to assault officers. Waddell survived.

In August, Spokane police officers James Erickson and Shane Oien killed Tyrone F. Thomas during an exchange of gunfire in a downtown office building.

Thomas shot at the officers after showing up at the business where his ex-girlfriend worked. The officers were taking a statement from the woman, who had a protection order against Thomas.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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