Spokane woman shoots would-be marijuana thief

A medical marijuana farmer shot a man in the head today who she said was trying to steal part of her backyard crop, Spokane police said. His reputed accomplice is at large and possibly wounded as well. Officers found the man in the 2100 block of East Empire Avenue about two hours later with a gunshot wound to his skull but “for whatever reason he was walking and talking,” said Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, spokeswoman for the Spokane Police Department. The man, whose name has not been released, was taken to a hospital for treatment and his condition was not available Monday. DeRuwe said a second man may have been shot but has not yet been located by police, and his accomplice will not identify him to police. A neighbor alerted police to the shooting at 1023 E. Gordon Ave., about 10:20 a.m., about 20 minutes after it happened, DeRuwe said. No one has been arrested, but officer still are trying to sort out whether the homeowner was justified in shooting at the men, DeRuwe said. The woman, who did not call police after firing the shots, has a medical marijuana authorization, DeRuwe said. Police are investigating possible marijuana law violations.