SIIR Team Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting Incident on December 29, 2024
The Spokane Independent Investigation Response (SIIR) Team is providing this initial information regarding the continuing investigation into this incident at an apartment complex in the 800 block of W. Cora Avenue. SIIR Team Investigators gained this information during the preliminary stages of the ongoing investigation.
SIIR Investigators remained at the scene throughout the evening and into the early morning hours as they documented the scene, conducted interviews, and collected evidence.
SIIR Team Investigators recovered a realistic-looking rifle, later determined to be a high-velocity retail sale production air rifle, near the male’s location, where he was pronounced deceased.
On December 29, 2024, at approximately 4:30 pm., a person called 911 to report a male in the apartment complex was holding a rifle and firing it. The caller stated the male, later identified by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office as 29-year-old Joshua T.L. Musselman, had fired several shots and provided Musselman’s description and location on the top floor of an apartment building.
The caller advised Musselman appeared to be by himself, yelling, and had fired again. The caller was unsure if anyone was injured or shot by Musselman.
Several Spokane Police Officers responded and requested an armored Bearcat to respond to assist. They also made plans to stop/control vehicle/pedestrian traffic in the area for the public’s safety.
Several Officers arrived at the location within minutes, with one of the Officers reporting over the radio that Musselman was observed at one point with what appeared to be a rifle that was possibly suppressed. At approximately 4:46 pm, Officers advised “shots fired,” and the suspect (Musselman) was down.
Officers devised a plan, and when safe, they approached Musselman and began providing life-saving measures until relieved by Spokane Fire and additional medical personnel. Unfortunately, despite everyone’s efforts, Musselman was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Officer-Involved Protocol was enacted, and the scene was secured pending the arrival of the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR). The SIIR Team and Spokane County Forensics Unit personnel remained at the location late into the night as they collected evidence, interviewed witnesses, and documented the scene. SIIR Investigators recovered what appeared to be a realistic-looking rifle, later determined to be a high-velocity retail sale production air rifle, which will be forensically evaluated, near where Musselman collapsed from his injuries.
Initial information gained by SIIR Team Investigators indicates Officers observed Musselman armed with the rifle near the door of his apartment, which is an elevated position overlooking several other occupied apartments. At some point, four Officers fired their weapons. Musselman was hit and collapsed to the ground.
No uninvolved citizens or law enforcement Officers were injured during this incident.
SIIR Team Investigators ask that anyone who witnessed or has video of this incident or any previous incidents involving Musselman and has not been previously contacted by law enforcement is urged to call Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Detective Marc Melville at 509-477-3325, reference #10183440.
The SIIR Team is comprised of agencies in Spokane County, including the Washington State Patrol, Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Airway Heights Police Department, and the Spokane Police Department.
As the agency involved, Spokane Police Department personnel will not be involved in this investigation, in compliance with WAC 139.
- This investigation is being conducted by the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR), with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office as the managing agency for this incident. All future communications regarding this investigation will be sent via the SIIR Team.
- The Spokane Police Department will release the names of the officers involved in this incident.
- Once the SIIR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "SIIR Team Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting Incident on December 29, 2024" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7