Charges increased to first-degree murder in East Central shooting

Edward Bushnell, the man accused of fatally shooting William Poindexter in East Central Spokane July 21, now faces a first-degree murder charge in the killing. Bushnell, 27, was arrested immediately after the shooting and was initially charged with second-degree murder. According to court documents, Bushnell told police he was walking down the street and saw Poindexter grabbing and throwing a woman around. He told police he intervened and fought with Poindexter, then shot him three times in the back as Poindexter and the woman walked away. Bushnell appeared in court on the new charge Tuesday afternoon. His bond, which was set at $500,000 when he was arrested, was reduced to $300,000.