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Spokane County Sheriff’s SWAT deployed by helicopter to shooting in Ferry County

Shown here is Rescue 3, which is a Bell UH-1H Super Huey helicopter. It was sent Friday to assist in the standoff Friday in Ferry County where one person has been found deceased inside the home. Rescue 3 is part of the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit, which is comprised of Volunteer Pilots, Tactical Flight Officers and Rescue Medics for multiple agencies in Spokane and Kootenai Counties. (Photo courtesy of Spokane County Sheriff / handout)
By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5495

Members of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team were airlifted Friday from Spokane to Republic after a shooting incident occurred when Washington Fish and Wildlife officers tried to execute a warrant. One person has been found dead inside the residence.

Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Staci Lehman said the incident began at 10 a.m. when officers tried to execute a warrant for wildlife trafficking and illegal hunting violations in Ferry County.

“After making contact, the officers heard what they believed to be a gunshot inside the residence, which contained two individuals,” Lehman said. “One individual complied with officer directions to exit the residence, while the second did not. The incident is still ongoing with a tactical response team on site.”

Just before 5 p.m., Lehman said officers had found one person dead inside the residence.

“WDFW officers have confirmed one deceased individual in the barricaded residence in Ferry County,” she wrote.

A state chaplain and the Ferry County coroner were on scene.

Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Mark Gregory said the office received a call for assistance and it sent SWAT team members to the Republic area by using the Rescue 3 helicopter, which is part of the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit.

“They called and asked for aid on a person,” Gregory said.

Gregory said he didn’t know how many members of the SWAT team were deployed. They used the helicopter to avoid the three-hour drive to the scene, he said.

Rescue 3 also allowed the county to have rescue flight medics, from Spokane Valley and Spokane fire departments, on hand at the scene “for emergencies if needed,” Gregory said.

This story is developing and will be updated.