SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – The Spokane County Prosecutor has determined that Spokane County Sheriff’s Detective Travis West and Deputies Josiah Loos and Samuel Turner were justified in their application of lethal force against Donald A. Hegel after he pointed a replica handgun at Spokane County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) members during a several hour stand-off with Stevens County and Spokane County Detectives, Deputies, and SWAT at 30321 N. Monroe Rd., Deer Park, Spokane County, WA. on March 29, 2024.
On the above date, Stevens County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies attempted to serve Hegel with an arrest warrant issued by a Stevens County Judge for Child Rape and Child Molestation charges. They first looked for Hegel in the Ford, WA. area of Stevens County and eventually located him at the above address at about 2:30 PM.
Upon arrival at the Monroe Rd. home, the deputies encountered Hegel in the front door/porch area. Hegel was informed of the warrant and that he was to surrender to deputies immediately. Hegel eventually came outside, stood on the porch, but refused to show both of his hands. One deputy drew a taser and another drew their service weapon and ordered Hegel to show his hands. Hegel refused to surrender or to show deputies both of his hands. While on the porch, Hegel stated that he had a gun and stated several times for the deputies to “just shoot me.” Stevens County requested an agency assist from the Spokane County.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies began to arrive and eventually took over the scene. SWAT was requested and arrived at about 4:10 PM. Negotiation attempts with Hegel were lengthy but fruitless.
During the time between their arrival and the subsequent application of deadly force, members of both the Stevens County and the Spokane County Sheriff’s offices exhausted an array of techniques, tactics, and less lethal munitions, in a vain attempt to coax Hegel to peacefully and safely surrender and avoid a lethal encounter. A Crisis Negotiator repeatedly encouraged Hegel to surrender. Hegel was repeatedly warned that force would be used. Hegel refused to obey verbal commands and refused to show his hands, keeping one hand purposely behind his back. Hegel told the Deputies to “shoot him” before going back inside the home.
After several unsuccessful insertions of chemical munitions into the home, SWAT members breached the front door and located Hegel in a small lean-to attached to the NE side of the home. Hegel pointed what appeared to be a handgun at SWAT members and refused to drop it and show his hands. Three deputies fired at him. Once Hegel was safely handcuffed, emergency medical was applied by a SWAT Team medic pending arrival of a Life Flight helicopter and medical team. Hegel was declared deceased approximately 13 minutes after their arrival.
Subsequent investigation determined that the handgun was a realistic-looking replica. There were no other firearms located in the house. Toxicology testing following autopsy showed that there was alcohol and methamphetamine in Hegel’s system at the time of his death.
###
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "No Criminal Charges in March 29, 2024 Shooting" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7