***For Immediate Release***
SIRR Team Investigation Forwarded for Review
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response (SIRR) Team has completed their investigation into the August 2, 2016, incident where Thomas Allenton took his own life with the handgun he was carrying in the area of Appleway and Farr in Spokane Valley. The completed investigation has been forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office for review.
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Original SIRR Team news release below:
SIRR Investigation Update
The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR) is investigating a shooting where a man took his own life on August 2, 2016, in the Spokane Valley. The death occurred after an individual walking in the area of Appleway and Farr with a handgun was contacted by officers from the Spokane Valley and Spokane Police Departments. The officers were in the area after citizens had reported hearing shots fired. SIRR team detectives were called to investigate this incident after the Critical Incident Protocol was invoked.
Spokane Valley Police made contact with the man identified as 23 year old Thomas Allenton after a traffic stop earlier in the evening at 8:34 pm, in the area of Sprague and Freya. During the traffic stop deputies learned the Allenton was in possession of a legally owned handgun. Deputies also learned that Allenton was driving on a suspended license. Allenton was cited for the suspended license and his vehicle was impounded. Allenton was released upon conclusion of that investigation.
At 9:11 pm, a citizen reported hearing gun shots and a male walking with a gun in his hand in the area of 1st and Rebecca. Officers from the Spokane Police Department and Spokane Valley Police Department began searching the area for the male.
At 10:47 pm, another caller reported seeing a man walking with a gun in his hand. Spokane Valley deputies contact the man and identified him to be Allenton. Deputies began to give Allenton commands but he continued walking. Deputies continued to follow Allenton as he entered a parking lot in the area of Appleway and Farr at which time Allenton placed the gun he was carrying to his head. Deputies continued to negotiate with Allenton and at some point fired two bean bag less -lethal shotgun rounds at Allenton in an attempt to take him into custody. Allenton fell to the ground after being struck by the bean bag rounds. Allenton then got back up and used the handgun he had to take his own life.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact WSP Detective Ben McBride at 509 227-6642 or WSP Detective Sergeant Aaron Morrison at 509 227-6641. SIRR detectives will continue to process evidence, interview witnesses and interview all the officers involved with this incident. The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in Eastern Washington, including the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police Department, and Airway Heights Police Department.
• The Washington State Patrol is the managing agency in this incident. All future communications on this incident will be sent via the SIRR Team.
• Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
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