Sheriff’s office releases name of deputy who shot homeless man

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy who shot and killed a homeless man May 4 during a confrontation in Spokane Valley.

Deputy Joseph Wallace shot Ethan Murray, 25, at about 5:35 p.m. near a homeless camp near the 2800 block of North Cherry Street, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Wallace responded to a report of a man, later identified as Murray, acting “very high” near children at a nearby apartment complex.

Wallace located Murray and chased him to a homeless camp, where Murray lived. Wallace told investigators he fired after Murray reached for an object in his pocket and pulled it out while refusing orders to stop. Investigators did not find a weapon on or near Murray.

The sheriff’s office hired Wallace in January 2015. He is a member of the SWAT team. He served in the Marines from 2009 to 2013, according to the news release.

The investigation into Murray’s death is ongoing.