Spokane: despondent, armed vet killed after chase

Published 1:16 pm Wednesday, February 12, 2014

SPOKANE VALLEY — Officers in Spokane Valley say a despondent armed man has been shot and killed after a police chase that began in Spokane, crossed into Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and then returned to Washington.

KHQ-TV reported that Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has confirmed the man was a decorated veteran who had served in Afghanistan. The man was not immediately identified after the Tuesday night shooting.

Deputy Mark Gregory said the man was first approached by Spokane police Tuesday evening but fled east in his vehicle along Interstate 90 to Idaho before turning around and returning to Washington.

Sheriff’s deputies got the vehicle stopped near the Spokane Valley Mall and the man got out. Moments later, deputies say he made a threatening move and they opened fire. Gregory said the man was heavily armed.