Two separate drive-by shootings Tuesday night in Spokane leave one injured

Two drive-by shootings late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning appear to be unconnected, according to the Spokane Police Department.

A drive-by shooting was reported just before 11 p.m. at Third Avenue and Cedar Street. A patrol officer arrived on scene within a minute of the call, but the suspect vehicle was gone.

The officer found a male victim inside a vehicle stopped in the road. Officers provided first aid until medics arrived, and he was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was stabilized, according to police.

Officers arrested a suspect, Cameron E. Thomas, 28, on suspicion of three counts of first-degree assault and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, according to police. He was located in the area of 1500 S. Rustle St. inside a motel room.

Thomas’ criminal record in Spokane County shows multiple convictions for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, forgery, drug possession and possessing a stolen motor vehicle.

The next report of a drive-by shooting came at about 12:15 a.m. on the 2500 block of West Sanson Avenue.

As a car drove through the area, occupants tossed garbage onto the roadway, according to police. A homeowner in the area got into a verbal confrontation with the litterers.

As the car drove away the driver stopped at Sanson and Cochran Street to fire a single shot at the homeowner, police said.

No one was hit by the shot and police arrived a short time later.

Those with information on the second shooting can use reference No. 2020-20088595 when calling Crime Check.