Video Clips Viewed on SCSO Youtube Channel and SCSO Facebook Page:

VIDEO: UAS Helps SWAT Team Search Home and Locate Wanted Felony Suspect 

The SWAT Team was called to assist Spokane Valley Deputies with taking a suspect, wanted on a fully extraditable Idaho felony warrant, into custody.  The suspect would not exit the home, and with the knowledge that he had access to firearms, an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS-drone) was precisely piloted through the residence, finally locating the suspect sleeping in bed.  He was awoken and, soon after, walked outside, where SWAT Team members took him into custody without further incident.    

These video clips highlight the importance of UAS systems and how they increase safety for the suspect and Deputies while demonstrating the operator’s skill and expertise.    

On August 26, 2024, at approximately 3:40 am, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a possible domestic violence situation at a residence in the 18700 block of E. Agusta Court.

Deputies arrived and noticed smears of blood and several small slits (possibly stab marks) on the front door.  They knocked on the door several times, and finally, an adult female (homeowner) answered it.  She explained that her ex was at the house earlier and damaged the door but would not elaborate further.   

Deputies explained that due to the blood and possible knife marks on the door, they needed to check and ensure no one was injured inside the home.  She agreed to allow Deputies to enter and check the welfare of anyone inside.  

Once inside, several additional holes and blood smears were observed on the walls and doors.  Deputies also observed an ammunition box and spent/unspent rounds inside the house.   Although the female stated no firearms were in the home, Deputies observed a shotgun in one of the bedrooms.   Two adult friends were contacted who explained they arrived just before Deputies and had no information regarding the incident.

A male, the homeowner’s boyfriend, was contacted, and he had a small cut on his hand and several on his forearm.  He identified himself (later determined to be a false name) and explained he received the injuries after getting into an argument with his girlfriend.  He denied the argument ever turned physical.  He also declined medical treatment for his injuries.

After being asked additional questions, the homeowner explained that during the argument, she left, went to a friend’s home, and asked them to come over.  When she returned, she noticed the damage and did not know how it happened or who caused it.  She then asked Deputies to exit her home.

Deputies complied, went outside, and contacted the original complainant by phone.  During this time, a Deputy observed a driver’s license sitting, face up, on the backseat of a vehicle in the driveway.  The driver’s license showed the name of 35-year-old Danile J. Gadley Jr., and the picture confirmed Gadley was the same male that Deputies had contacted inside.  A check of his correct name revealed a valid Idaho felony warrant for his arrest.  Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) confirmed the warrant and that Idaho would extradite Gadley Jr.  

Deputies contacted the homeowner and her two friends and had them exit the home to a location of safety.  Deputies established a perimeter around the residence and began PA announcements advising the suspect to exit, but he refused to comply.   Gadley Jr. was observed peaking out of the windows, but he still chose to remain inside despite commands to exit.   

With access to firearms and Gadley’s uncooperative behavior, a search warrant for the residence was requested, and the SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiators, Spokane Regional Air Support Unit UAS operators, Behavioral Health Units, and Spokane County Deputies were called to assist.  

With the warrant granted and after several announcements/warnings went unanswered, the front door was breached.  Announcements continued as the UAS operator launched an Avata UAS and entered the residence to search for the suspect.  The UAS operator expertly flew the UAS with precision as he navigated partially closed doors, confined areas, and other obstacles, finally locating Gadley sleeping in bed.  

SWAT breached a window, which finally woke Gadley up.  He was instructed to exit the residence with his hands up, and he complied.  He was safely taken into custody by SWAT Team members waiting outside.

Gadley was booked into the Spokane County Jail as a Fugitive of Justice while he awaits pending extradition back to Idaho.             

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "VIDEO: UAS Helps SWAT Team Search Home and Locate Wanted Felony Suspect" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7