School administrators were notified of the threat and placed the school on lockdown.
A Spokane Valley school resource deputy fatally shot a suspect who authorities said approached a middle school Tuesday morning with what appeared to be a firearm and presented a lethal threat.
Deputies responded to Evergreen Middle School, 14221 E. 16th Ave., at about 11:30 a.m. after a caller reported a suspicious man walking across the football field toward the school, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.
The caller initially reported that the man was sweating and appeared to be adjusting his waistband but said no weapon was visible. Within minutes, the caller provided an update saying the suspect was armed with what appeared to be a black and silver Glock 19, according to the sheriff's office.
School administrators were notified of the threat and placed the school on lockdown.
A Spokane Valley school resource deputy arrived within five minutes of the initial call. Authorities said the suspect approached the deputy and presented a lethal threat with what appeared to be a firearm.
The deputy fired at the suspect, striking him. Additional Spokane Valley and Spokane County deputies arrived and requested medical personnel.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No students, staff members or others in the area were injured, according to the sheriff's office.
Authorities said it remains unclear whether the initial caller and the suspect were the same person.
During the response, the Spokane Regional Explosives Disposal Unit was called to inspect a bag believed to have been discarded by the suspect near the school. Technicians could not initially rule out the possibility that it contained an explosive, prompting students and staff to be moved to a more secure location inside the school.
The unit disrupted the bag and rendered it safe. Authorities said an inspection determined the bag did not appear to contain an explosive device.
Deputies also searched the school and its grounds for a possible second suspect or other suspicious items.
Once authorities determined the scene was safe, students were bused to Valley Real Life Church to be reunited with their families.
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting. The Spokane Police Department is serving as the primary point of contact for the investigation.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said the name of the deputy involved will be released at a later time. The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office will release the name of the person killed, along with the cause and manner of death, when appropriate.
Once the independent investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office for review.
