Officer who shot stalking suspect named

The Spokane Police Department said Thursday that Senior Ofc. Mike Roberge was the officer who shot stalking suspect Joseph E. Hensz Saturday. The Washington State Patrol confirmed Thursday that Roberge was the officer wearing the body camera which wasn’t turned on during the officer-involved shooting. Roberge has been with the Spokane Police Department for 17 years. No further details are being released about the shooting at this time, said WSP Trooper Jeff Sevigney. The WSP is handling the investigation. Months of harassment that included a chicken sandwich thrown at the home an ex-girlfriend culminated in the shooting of Hensz, according to court documents. Hensz, 20, had previously dated a 19-year-old woman off and on for three years. The woman lives with her extended family on West Knox Avenue on Spokane’s north side. The woman’s mother filed for an anti-harassment restraining order this week to keep Hensz away from her home. The petition for the order details months of harassing phone calls, threats and stalking behavior as well as police reports detailing the day of the shooting. The woman who filed the petition said she called 911 Saturday morning to report that Hensz was following her daughter and granddaughter as they visited a local park. He reportedly followed them home and then circled the block several times. On Saturday afternoon the woman said she called 911 several times to report that Hensz was circling the block in a car at high speeds, repeatedly calling on the phone and parking in front of their house. At one point police watched the home from a short distance away and saw Hensz arrive in a stolen car and throw something at the home. The item was later identified as a McChicken sandwich, according to police reports. Hensz left and police gave chase, but they discontinued the pursuit because of high speeds, according to a police report. The chase resumed after Hensz returned to the home several more times. “The last time he was followed by police again he was intercepted at Post Ave.,” the woman wrote in her petition. “I heard the shooting from my house. In his attempt to run away from police, he crashed against a tree and was transported to the hospital.” The woman wrote that the harassment dates back to the beginning of the year and that she has made numerous police reports. Hensz would often park in front of the house for hours or sit on the front porch, she wrote. She has to unplug her phone every night because Hensz calls repeatedly, she wrote. During one incident in March police responded while Hensz was still there and told him that he was not allowed on the property. In response Hensz allegedly taunted the officer and asked what would happen if he stepped over the line, according to a police report. After Hensz took a step forward onto the property he was arrested for trespassing. Hensz is currently facing charges of domestic violence stalking and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. His criminal history includes multiple arrests as a juvenile for assault, residential burglary, malicious mischief and taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission.