SPOKANE — Two sheriff’s deputies were shot and wounded Tuesday afternoon in the north Spokane area, triggering a massive manhunt that ended when the suspect killed himself, authorities said.
Spokane County sheriff’s deputies, Spokane city police and State Patrol troopers swarmed the area after the shootings.
After a chase that led officers north out of the Spokane area toward Deer Park, the male suspect stopped his vehicle and fatally shot himself, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich told reporters.
“He is deceased,” the sheriff said. He declined to identify the man.
Both the sheriff and Interim Spokane Police Chief Scott Stephens said Tuesday evening that there was no longer any danger to the public.
“There is no other shooter left at large,” Stephens said. The wounded deputies, both men, were in stable condition, the sheriff said.
One was taken to surgery at Sacred Heart Medical Center and the other was not expected to need surgery, he added. He declined to identify them.
“They’re both quality deputies and they do a great job,” he said.
The shooting began with a traffic stop shortly after 4 p.m., said Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, a Spokane police spokeswoman.
The suspect had a long criminal history, she said.
Police declined to immediately discuss a motive or timeline but said the chaotic afternoon and evening involved six different scenes. Evening rush hour traffic was snarled.
“We’re still sorting it out, but everything is under control,” Knezovich said.
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