SPOKANE, Wash. — A newly filed search warrant reveals more about what happened before Spokane police shot and killed a man at the North Colton Walmart.
Police shot and killed 34-year-old Kelly Jones-Hilberg after seeing the “dark outline of a firearm” on her shoulder holster, according to a Spokane County search warrant. Officers believed Jones-Hilberg was stealing and when they confronted him, he began to resist, leading to an altercation. This led to Officer Carl Richardson shooting him dead after another officer yelled, “He’s got a gun!”
On the morning of Dec. 3, two on-duty Spokane police officers said they witnessed a man shoplifting from a Walmart on North Colton Street. Officers reportedly observed the man use a magnetic key to remove security devices from items and then “put the items on his person,” according to the warrant.
Officers said a man, later identified as Jones Hilberg, approached them just as they were leaving the store, and the man “immediately began to resist.” The warrant states Jones-Hilberg ran from officers and was taped. However, he reportedly still managed to escape from the officers.
The interaction was reportedly captured on one of the officers’ body cameras, according to the warrant.
The officer and Jones-Hilberg reportedly continued to struggle between the north and south doors of the Walmart. One of the officers’ body cameras showed Jones-Hilberg being taped again, then speeding off and being knocked to the floor.
Moments later, the warrant states, one of the officers yelled, “I’ve got a gun!” To which Jones-Hilberg yelled back, “No, that’s not true!” She then said his left hand was extended toward his chest. At that point, Richardson shot Jones-Hilberg once, ultimately killing him. Body camera footage reportedly shows Jones-Hilberg continuing to resist until he lost consciousness.
Detectives reviewing body camera footage of the incident saw “the outline of a dark-colored firearm that appeared to be in a shoulder holster,” according to the warrant. Detectives also claimed to have seen additional magazines.
Investigators also collected security footage from Walmart. They said Jones-Hilberg was seen using a cell phone while collecting items, which they believe indicates the suspect was working with another person. Ta.
SPD said they found a gun and ammunition near Jones-Hilberg’s body. Detectives ran the gun’s serial number and found it had been reported stolen from Airway Heights in 2021, according to the warrant.
The Spokane County Coroner identified Jones-Hilberg on Wednesday. The medical examiner took a urine sample from the man and tested it, which tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines, according to the warrant.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Jones-Hilberg’s family to help with funeral costs.
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