Deputy Requests Emergency Assistance to Help a Person in Crisis, Reported to be Armed with a Knife and Bleeding

Spokane Valley Deputies responded to what was initially believed to be a domestic violence (DV) call involving a weapon that quickly changed to a person in crisis who was uncooperative, injured, and covered in blood.  Deputies eventually took her into protective custody. 

On August 13, 2024, at approximately 10:20 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a domestic violence incident at a residence in north central Spokane Valley.  The initial call indicated an adult female was intoxicated, possibly suicidal, and holding a kitchen knife that she had used to harm herself.  During the call, a female was heard yelling the adult male stabbed her, and she wanted to hurt herself because he didn’t love her.

The first arriving Deputy observed a male (identified as the caller) walking from the street to the residence before entering.   The Deputy decided to try to contact the pair, but as he approached the door, it opened, and the male was standing in the doorway with the female behind him.  She was covered in blood and appeared to have a large cut across the upper portion of her chest.  Not knowing what actually occurred, and with the female having what seemed to be a potentially serious injury, the Deputy detained the male and moved him away from the door.  The male explained, saying the female was acting erratic, had been drinking liquor, and was running around with a knife, and that she tried to cut her throat and stab herself.  

The Deputy advised, via radio, that he was “Code 6”, requesting emergency assistance while calling out to the female, but received no response.    

With additional Deputies now at the scene and without probable cause established that a crime had been committed, the Deputies moved to the door.

Knowing the female appeared to have a large cut just below her neck, and with information that she was heavily intoxicated, had been armed with a knife, and harmed herself, Deputies determined she was in crisis and posed an immediate threat to herself or others.   Additionally, not knowing if her injuries were potentially life-threatening, they decided exigent circumstances existed to make entry into the home without a warrant and take the female into protective custody.      

They announced their presence, telling the female that she was not in trouble and that they were only there to help/provide medical aid.  With no response, Deputies slowly began searching for the female while continuing to make announcements.    

Deputies observed the doorknob move as they approached the bathroom door, causing them to stop and back away to gain distance in the narrow hall.  They observed the female’s blood-covered hand through the door’s slight opening.  Deputies again explained she was not in trouble; they were there to help, and she needed to show her hands and exit the bathroom.   She would not comply, but she was convinced to open the door and take a step into the hallway.  

When she did, Deputies noticed the front of her body was coated in blood, and she had blood gushing out of several wounds to her chest/throat area.  She remained defiant despite attempts to reason with her and coax her out.  Believing they needed to act quickly to take her into protective custody for her safety, Deputies continued to slowly and calmly talk to her as they slowly approached.  

The female refused to step out further, but Deputies had closed the distance and determined they needed to act immediately.   A Deputy grabbed her wrist, attempting to pull her from the very confined space.  She resisted and fought his efforts, using her feet to push on the doorframe, trying to escape back into the bathroom.  The area was so restrictive that only one Deputy could grab her.  Other Deputies reached through the first Deputy’s feet and dislodged the female’s feet from the doorframe, eventually allowing them to remove her to an area with more room. 

The female, still screaming and in severe crisis, was detained, and Deputies provided medical aid to try and control her bleeding as medical personnel approached to assist.  

She was transported to the hospital by ambulance under the Washington Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) for her safety and well-being.   

Deputies determined the female had not committed a crime and was not charged or arrested.   

It was determined the male had not committed a crime, and he was not charged or arrested.     

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Deputy Requests Emergency Assistance to Help a Person in Crisis, Reported to be Armed with a Knife" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7