FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
No Criminal Charges in August 2018 Police Shooting
SPOKANE COUNTY, January 2, 2019 – The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office has determined that Spokane County Deputy Sheriffs Michael Brooks, Timothy Jones, Jerry Moffett, Jason Petrini, Randy Watts, Travis West, and Brandon Wilson were justified in their use of lethal and less lethal force against Bryan C. Bayne while attempting to deescalate a situation in which Bayne displayed both suicidal and homicidal ideations and actions on August 19, 2018.
At approximately 9:00 AM on August 19, 2018, 9-1-1 was notified that a male driver(Bayne) in a red/orange pick-up truck was driving recklessly eastbound on E. Trent Ave. and had pulled into a Mobile gas station at Trent and N. Evergreen Rd. in Spokane Valley. While parked at the gas pumps, it was reported that Bayne was swinging an unknown object at his truck and causing damage to the windshield and exterior of the truck. The initial responding Deputy attempted to make contact with Bayne. Bayne stated that he was fighting the demons and voices in his head and that he wasn’t going to go to jail. Bayne was armed with a pistol. Backup units were called and a SWAT response was initiated after Bayne would not put the gun down and allow deputies to get him help.
During the nearly two-hour standoff, Bayne periodically pointed the gun at his head and then would place it on the dashboard. At one point, Bayne fired a shot into the cab of his truck and stated that he wanted to be sure the gun would work. Bayne also stated that he wanted to be shot with a law enforcement rifle rather than a .22 (the caliber of the gun belonging to Bayne). Bayne stated twice that he was just going to come out of the truck with his gun pointed at officers so they would have to shoot him.
As part of a plan to prevent Bayne from leaving the area, several police vehicles were positioned around Bayne’s truck. Soon after the last one deployed, Bayne sat up in the cab of the truck and, with his arm fully extended, pointed the pistol toward the rear where several deputies were positioned. Fearing for their own safety and the safety of others, several deputies fired at Bayne. Soon thereafter, a team of deputies and medics approached Bayne’s truck and determined he was deceased.
Under these circumstances, it was reasonable for deputies to use deadly and less lethal force. There is no indication that any of the involved deputies acted out of malice or lacked a good faith belief in the correctness of their actions. Therefore, no criminal liability attaches and no criminal charges will be filed in this matter.