On Sunday morning, police shot and killed a man suspected of shoplifting after an “extended” fight at a Walmart in north Spokane.
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.
At 9:16 a.m., a Spokane commissioned police officer at the Walmart, 9200 N. Colton St., noticed a suspect “taking items” from the Walmart, Meidle 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.