Spokane neighborhood sees increased patrols after two drive-by shootings

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Police have increased patrols on 1300 W Courtland after two drive-by shootings occurred within a week of each other.

The shootings happened on May 26 and June 1 near Emerson Park and North Monroe. During one incident, neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots. Police ended up recovering 40 bullet casings from the scene.

Police call the area a hangout spot. Residents say the neighborhood is calm during the day but changes at night when unwanted groups gather there.

“I’m afraid to have my face shown (on camera) because I don’t want to be the one that those guns are shot,” said one woman who lives in the area and wanted to remain anonymous.

The recent violence continues a troubling pattern. Less than a year ago, a 19-year-old girl was shot and killed on the same block in a gang-related incident.

Mitchell Paddock has watched his family’s longtime neighborhood change.

“There’s usually kids going up and down the road on their bikes… it doesn’t happen very often anymore,” Paddock said.

Residents say they clean up alcohol bottles and drug paraphernalia almost every morning. One anonymous resident expressed frustration with the ongoing problems.

“I am frustrated because we’ve tried to play by the rules and follow the suggestion of the city, and we are still having this problem,” she said.

The safety concerns have affected longtime residents. Paddock said he has considered selling his family’s home despite its sentimental value.

“It’s hard because I don’t want to sell it because it’s been in the family, you know, since my grandparents originally bought it. So it’s not a good feeling,” he said.

One mother in the area fears more tragedy.

“I am a mother. No more mothers need to lose their children to violence,” she said.

Police have not determined if the two shootings are connected. They say it is unusual to see two incidents in the same area within such a short time.