Teenager clings to life after shooting

A teenager was clinging to life Wednesday night after he was shot in broad daylight Wednesday in a north Spokane neighborhood.

The victim, who was not identified by police, was with a man and another teen in an alley behind 2410 W. Boone Ave. when an argument arose, Spokane police Chief Roger Bragdon said.

About 3:20 p.m., the man pulled a gun and fired at the victim, who was hit once in his head, Bragdon said. The victim went through a three-hour surgery and remained in critical condition late Wednesday at a Spokane hospital, police spokesman Dick Cottam later reported.

Before running from the alley, the gunman also shot at the other teen, who was not struck.

“It appears this has been an ongoing disagreement with these three,” Bragdon said.

Witnesses and a police dog led the officers to a home located at 2321 W. Dean Ave., Bragdon said. A SWAT team just leaving the scene of a shooting in Spokane Valley was sent to the home. Officers surrounded the house and arrested Dustin A. Davis, 18.

“We had some real good citizens who told us which way he ran,” Bragdon said.

Police believe Davis was the only person responsible for the shooting, Cottam said. Davis was taken for questioning and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Cottam said he likely will face a charge of attempted murder or murder.

Neighbors said the victim grew up in the neighborhood and attended Holmes Elementary and Glover Middle School. Bragdon said he is about 16 years old.

Jill Bussing said she was smoking a cigarette on her back porch when she noticed Davis standing just behind her fence.

She was about to ask him why he was there when the victim approached Davis with the other teen. The victim put his hand out as if he were planning to shake Davis’ hand, she said.

“The guy just walked up and said, ‘What’s happening?’ and the guy shot him,” Bussing said.

Bussing said the gunman shot twice at the victim and two or three times at the other teen, who referred to the victim as his uncle.

At first, Bussing thought it was just an act with a cap gun.

“I really didn’t think it was a serious thing,” Bussing said. “All of a sudden, it was.”

Adam Fullenwider was visiting a home nearby and was one of the first people on scene. He said he took the victim’s pulse and found a stick to keep his mouth open.

“He was unconscious, but he was moving around, shaking,” Fullenwider said.

Jo Ann Hoke, who has lived on the block much of her life, said drugs are a problem in the area.

“We have a lot of little gang wannabes in this block,” Hoke said.

But James Walker, who lives nearby, said the block generally is peaceful.

“There’s always little kids in the alley playing around,” Walker said. “It’s shocking.”