SWAT deputies met gunfire while attempting to breach the home
A shooting and subsequent firefight with responding officers in Spokane County, Washington, left three people dead, including the suspect, and critically wounded two deputies on Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said. Sheriff John Nowels described the two wounded deputies as young members of the SWAT team.
Deputies responded to a home in Spokane County around 2:30 p.m. after a woman told her neighbor that she had been shot by her brother, Sheriff John Nowels said during a news conference. Spokane County borders Idaho.
Authorities determined that the suspect had an active felony warrant, according to the sheriff’s office. The office also said there may be other victims.
“SWAT team members and deputies approached the house, attempted to breach the door and were met with gunfire,” Nowels said. Other deputies returned fire and worked to move the wounded members of the SWAT team to safety, according to officials.
One person was found dead in the home, while another was in the yard, Nowels said. The suspect was also dead. Neither the names of the victims nor the suspect had been released.
Both deputies, whom Nowels described as young members of the SWAT team, were taken to the hospital along with the woman who said she had been shot by her brother. Her injuries were non-life-threatening, he said.
Nowels said: “Both of our deputies, fighting for their lives.” He added, “It’s a very tragic day in Spokane County. A lot of families have been affected.”
Authorities were investigating the shooting and what may have caused it. The sheriff’s office said investigators had not released the victims’ or suspect’s names.