4 dead, including deputy, after domestic violence shooting in Washington state

By Jim Jensen and FOX 13 Seattle Digital Team

SPANGLE, Wash. - A Spokane County sheriff's deputy has died and another is not expected to survive after being shot during a domestic violence call on Tuesday.

Deputy killed, another critically injured in Spangle, WA shooting

The backstory:

According to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to reports of a domestic violence-related shooting at a home in the 18700 block of South Smythe Road in Spangle, a rural area south of Spokane. A woman ran to a neighbor's house and said she had been shot by her brother and needed medical attention.

Timeline:

Deputies arrived at around 2:25 p.m. and learned that the male suspect may have had access to additional weapons and that there were possibly additional victims. Additionally, he had multiple active felony warrants for his arrest. The Spokane County SWAT team was called in to assist because of the threat.

At around 3:15 p.m., the SWAT team and deputies approached the suspect's residence. Out of fear for the victims' safety, law enforcement made an exigent entry—meaning they entered the home without a search warrant for the active emergency.

As officers made entry, shots were fired from inside the home and two deputies were critically injured. Other deputies returned fire and pulled their injured teammates to cover and provided medical aid. The two deputies were airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital. A female victim was also hospitalized with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Three people were found dead; one victim was found dead in the yard, while another victim and the suspect were found dead inside the home.

Authorities provide tragic update

The sheriff's office said in an update Wednesday that one of the deputies had died from his injuries in the hospital, and the second deputy remains on life support in critical condition, but is not expected to survive.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said they are devastated by this senseless shooting, and will continue to support the fallen deputies' families and honor their wishes.

What they're saying:

"They are true examples of selfless service and dedication. They are the epitome of what the men and women in law enforcement are; they are the best of all of us. We cherish having served with them as we begin to process the devastating and unthinkable loss," the sheriff's office said in the update.

The Source: Information in this story came from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol and original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.