A Spokane County sheriff's deputy has died and another remains on life support following an ambush that occurred while they were responding to a domestic violence call on Tuesday. The incident also resulted in two other fatalities on the property.
Deputies were dispatched to a home after a woman reported that her brother had shot her. Upon arrival, officers learned the suspect had an active felony arrest warrant and was believed to have multiple firearms. A SWAT team was deployed to assist.
As SWAT officers approached the residence, a suspect opened fire from inside the home. Deputies returned fire and managed to pull the two wounded deputies to safety. The initial female victim, who had sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was also taken to a hospital for treatment.
Investigators discovered one deceased individual inside the home and another body in the yard. The suspect was also found dead on the property. The identities of those deceased have not yet been released.
On Wednesday, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office confirmed that one of the injured deputies had succumbed to his wounds. He is survived by his wife and two children. The second deputy remains on life support, and officials do not expect him to survive. The sheriff's office stated that arrangements are being made for the deputy to be an organ donor.
"Although we know our deputies knew the risks, they bravely moved toward danger to protect others they did not know," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "They did this with honor and with an unwavering sense of duty to their oath to serve and protect the citizens of Spokane County; they heroically placed themselves in mortal danger."