Medical Examiner identifies man shot while trying to run over deputy

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office has identified a man shot and killed by a deputy after he allegedly attempted to run the deputy over with his van early Wednesday morning.

The medical examiner determined that the man, Richard Bahr, died from penetrating gunshot wounds to the face and neck and ruled his manner of death as homicide.

Spokane Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Mark Gregory said the incident, which occurred near Hartson Avenue and Thor Street, began when a 911 caller reported that a badly injured woman had asked for help before getting into a van driven by Bahr. Deputies located the van and attempted to make a traffic stop. Bahr sped away, driving west onto Hills Court. As he neared the dead end on Hills Court, he turned the vehicle and rammed the deputy’s patrol car, Gregory said. After the deputy told the driver to stop, Bahr allegedly accelerated toward him. The deputy fired his weapon, hitting Bahr.

Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures and Bahr was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman who had been in the van with Bahr was not hit by gunfire and was transported to a hospital for treatment of the injuries she sustained before the shooting.

Gregory said neither the deputy nor bystanders were injured during the incident. The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team, which is comprised of multiple area law enforcement agencies, has taken over the investigation.