Juvenile arrested in connection with deadly downtown Spokane shooting

Police have made an arrest in connection with a fatal downtown Spokane shooting Tuesday afternoon.

Officer John O’Brien, spokesman for the Spokane Police Department, said a 16-year-old male has been arrested and is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter. The suspect’s name has not been released.

The juvenile is suspected of shooting and killing a man inside a blue car that was on Washington Street between Main Avenue and Spokane Falls Boulevard. Police arrived at about 3:45 p.m. to a bystander performing CPR on the victim.

John Waite, owner of Auntie’s Bookstore on the corner of Washington and Main, said his staff saw a car full of people driving east on Main turn north on Washington, at which point a gun went off. He said the car engine revved up, presumably by the driver who was shot, and then there was a loud noise and the car eased over to the curb.

“A bunch of people got out, went around to the other side,” he said. “They opened the driver door and the driver fell out, shot.”

Other witnesses said the man was bleeding heavily. Medics were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said immediately after the shooting they were unsure if it was accidental or on purpose.