Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Cops: Vengeful beau fired shot in motel

A man accused of hiding in his ex-girlfriend's motel room and threatening her and her new boyfriend with a handgun appeared in court Wednesday on burglary and assault charges.

Matthew A. Raney, 24, was arrested Tuesday, two days after police say he attacked his ex-girlfriend, Sara Anderson, and her boyfriend, identified both as George Howard and John Howard in court documents, in a room at the Trade Winds Motel, 907 W. Third Ave.

Police swarmed the building Sunday about 9:19 p.m. amid reports of an armed suspect hiding somewhere in the motel. Officers did not find the gunman, but Anderson identified him as Raney, who she said lived with her at the motel until thee or four days ago.

She said she arrived home that night to find a note left by Raney, who then came out of the bathroom with a handgun and pushed her to the ground before hitting Howard in the head with the pistol.The two wrestled and a shot was fired, but no one was injured. A motel worker and another renter said he saw Raney exit the room holding the pistol.

A tip to Crime Check placed Raney back at the motel on Tuesday about 4:15 p.m. and indicated he may be ready to turn himself in. Raney was arrested without incident.

Raney told police he was high on heroin and upset about breaking up with Anderson, who he said was his wife of more than two years. He said he was high on heroin the night of the shooting and wanted to leave a note for his wife. But he was concerned her new boyfriend would see it first so he waited in the bathroom with the gun, according to court documents. Raney remains in jail on $50,000 bond.



Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.