On Sunday morning, police shot and killed a suspected shoplifter after an “extended” fight inside a north Spokane Walmart store.
Police Chief Craig Meidle said a scuffle between the suspect and Spokane police officers left two officers injured and one officer taken to the hospital.
The suspect was given first aid, but he “succumbed to his injuries” at the scene, according to a news release.
At 9:16 a.m., a Spokane police officer at the Walmart, 9200 N. Colton St., noticed the suspect as he was “taking items” from the store, Meidl said.
A police officer called for backup, and a second officer arrived. They contacted the suspect on the north side of the store, near the entrance, and attempted to take him into custody.
“At that point the fight started. It was a very long fight that went all the way into the store,” Meidle said. “During the course of the struggle, one officer fired his weapon.”
Officers reported shots fired at 10:28 a.m. Meidle said he did not know how many shots were fired.
Meidle said the fight took place in a “very large area” inside the Walmart.
Officers found a firearm and ammunition believed to belong to the suspect, and police found a stun gun believed to have been used during the scuffle.
Walmart was evacuated. Meidle said there were no witnesses injured.
Meidl said the Walmart will remain closed until response officers investigate the scene, which is expected to take “several hours.” Spokane’s Independent Investigation and Response Team is investigating the police shooting.
The officer who fired the shot has been placed on case review leave, according to a news release. Both officers were wearing body cameras.
The Spokane County Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity, cause and manner of death.