County prosecutor: Officers justified in deadly September shooting outside Bell Motel

Criminal charges will not be pursued against two Spokane police officers who shot and killed an armed man in the Bell Motel parking lot in September.

The shooting of Erik “Ace” Mahoney by Sgt. Zachary Dahle and Cpl. Shane Oien on Sept. 24 was justified, Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell’s office announced Wednesday.

Mahoney did not comply with officers’ orders to get on the ground. Instead, he reached into his waistband and brandished a handgun before the two officers fired, according to a news release issued by Haskell’s office.

An investigation determined the handgun was loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition and had been reported stolen from a vehicle in Cheney earlier that month.

Officers attempted to treat Mahoney’s wounds but he later died at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Police believed they had probable cause to arrest Maloney after his alleged involvement in two domestic violence incidents that week. In the first, Mahoney allegedly fired a gun in his ex’s home. Two days later, he allegedly pistol-whipped her.

Mahoney also was wanted on a felony escape warrant from the Washington State Department of Corrections.

The Spokane Police Patrol Anti-Crime Team and Special Investigations Unit tracked Mahoney to the Bell Motel, 9030 W. Sunset Highway.

They watched as he exited an RV parked on the property and walked across the parking lot. Officers announced their presence and attempted to arrest Mahoney in the parking lot, according to the news release.