SPD shuts down Maple Street Bridge as man stands in traffic, throws objects at cars

SPOKANE, Wash. –Police shut down the Maple Street Bridge and arrested a man who was throwing items at cars and making threats on the bridge on Wednesday night, according to Spokane Police Department.

Around 11 p.m. on August 7, SPD responded to calls of a possible car crash on the Maple Street Bridge.

A 9-1-1 caller said a man was on the bridge, standing in traffic and throwing objects at cars.

As officers arrived at the scene, the man climbed on top of the bridge’s pedestrian walkway and ran back and forth while making threats about having a gun in his backpack.

SPD shut down the bridge and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Fire Department responded as backup.

At one point, the man threw an object at an officer and assaulted him.

Just after 1 a.m. on Thursday, after communicating with police, the man walked to the north end of the bridge and climbed down.

39-year-old Timothy W. Whipple was arrested and booked into Spokane County Jail for third-degree assault and malicious mischief.