SIRR Team Investigating January 23, 2019, Officer Involved Shooting
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR) is investigating the Officer Involved Shooting Incident involving Spokane Police Officers that occurred on January 23rd in the city of Spokane.
At approximately 3:35 p.m., Spokane Police Officers responded to multiple calls of a male armed with a handgun. One of the callers stated the male, later identified as 46-year-old Dwight D. Steward, pointed the pistol at her husband and another man.
Several Spokane Police Officers arrived in the area and began looking for the male. Employees at Andy's Market advised they had locked the door of the store to keep Steward out for their safety. Initially, Officers were unable to locate Steward, but soon after, Officers were advised he had returned to the store parking lot.
Officers located Steward in the parking lot and began giving him commands. Steward refused to follow commands, and at one point, he turned back toward several Officers and pulled two knives from his waistband. With a knife in each hand, Steward started advancing toward the Officers who continued to give commands, trying to deescalate this situation.
Steward ignored their commands and closed on the Officers who began to retreat in an attempt to maintain a safe distance. With Steward failing to comply and now in very close proximity, two Officers fired their weapons striking Steward who fell to the ground with the knives still in hands.
Officers quickly devised a plan for a safe approach, and immediately began life-saving efforts.
Despite the life-saving measures of the Officers and arriving medical personnel, Steward was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted. The SIRR Team responded to the scene to conduct an investigation and process the scene for evidence. Investigators recovered two large knives which were removed from Steward's hands by Officers. Additionally, several more knives and a sword were recovered.
Investigators did not locate a firearm at the scene or in Steward’s possession.
Investigators continue to interview witnesses and the involved Officers as they work to determine the facts of what occurred. SIRR Team members are asking anyone who may have witnessed, or may have video of this incident, to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 if they have not been contacted by investigators.
The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, the Washington State Patrol, the Spokane Valley Police Department, the Airway Heights Police Department, and the Spokane Police Department.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is the managing agency in this incident. All future communications on this incident will be sent via the SIRR Team.
The Spokane Police Department will release the names of the officers involved in this incident.
Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office for review.