Fatal Carjacking and Police Shootout Rocks Spokane Valley, WA

Fatal Carjacking and Police Shootout Rocks Spokane Valley, WA

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A multi‐jurisdictional crime spree came to a tragic conclusion on Sunday morning in Spokane Valley when a suspect involved in brazen thefts and shootings was killed by law enforcement following a deadly carjacking in State Line Village.

🚗 The Incident Starts at Whistle Stop Coffee Shop

At approximately 8:30 a.m., the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to a call from the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop on E. Sprague Ave. A suspect forcibly carjacked a father and daughter at gunpoint, then fled in their vehicle, entering I‑90 headed east. Deputies later confirmed the suspect reached speeds close to 140 mph near the Washington–Idaho state line  .

🔫 Killing in State Line Village: Good Samaritan Shoots Suspect

Minutes later, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) received calls about three attempted carjackings in the State Line Village shopping district near I‑90. During this spree, a Good Samaritan intervened to aid one victim. In the confrontation, the suspect responded by shooting and killing the Good Samaritan .

🌪 Continuing Rampage: Car Theft, Motorcyclist Injured

After the fatal attack, the suspect stole another vehicle and began heading westbound, traveling back into Spokane County. En route, he struck and injured a motorcyclist .

🚔 Final Clash at Trent & Pines

SCSO reports the suspect later appeared on East Trent Avenue, heading west, and allegedly opened fire at law enforcement with an AR-style rifle  . Meanwhile, Washington State Patrol (WSP) officers at an unrelated crash site near Pines Road were drawn into the chaos when the suspect crashed into a civilian vehicle and a WSP patrol car at the intersection of E. Trent Ave & North Pines Rd  .

The suspect then exited his vehicle and fired at troopers, prompting an officer‐involved shooting. The suspect was shot and died at the scene .

🚧 Road Closures & Investigation

• The intersection of East Trent Ave & North Pines Rd remains fully closed as investigators with the Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team collect evidence  .
• East Trent Ave is closed between Pine and Woodlawn roads, with Stateline Road also shut down on the Idaho side during investigation  .

🔍 Who Fired the Fatal Shot?

The SCSO confirms it’s unclear which agency—Spokane County, WSP, or potentially Spokane PD—delivered the fatal shot. The SIIR Team is leading the investigation to determine precisely what happened and who fired the lethal round  .

🕊 Community Impact and Reflection

This rapid cascade of crime—from a coffee-shop carjacking, a tragic killing of a Good Samaritan, to the final shootout—has alarmed residents across Spokane Valley and Kootenai County. The loss of an unarmed hero and the suspect’s violent rampage have sparked urgent calls for improved safety measures and rapid response coordination across jurisdictions.

📝 Summary of Key Events

🔜 What’s Next?

The SIIR Team’s investigation will clarify which officers fired the fatal shot, review forensic evidence, and compile a full timeline. Road closures are expected to remain in place as they conduct scene examination.

Law enforcement agencies urge any witnesses or bystanders with footage—especially surveillance or dashcam from the Whistle Stop, State Line Village, or along I‑90 and Trent Avenue—to come forward. These materials may be crucial for piecing together the full scope of the events and verifying the actions of both the suspect and responding officers.

This incident underscores the dangers faced by both civilians and law enforcement during criminal rampages. As the investigation continues, the community remains united in mourning the brave Good Samaritan whose attempt to stop violence ended tragically, and seeking answers in a deeply unsettling multi-state event.

For more updates, stay tuned to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office releases.