SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley deputies arrested a man who pointed a replica firearm at them while responding to a welfare check.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a home on 3rd Avenue near Bradley around 3 a.m. for reports of a man on his lawn armed with a gun.
The incident prompted the closure of nearby Ruben Trejo Dual Language Academy.
SCSO says 31-year-old Austyn Howard was screaming and possibly having a mental health crisis.
Deputies say when they arrived, Howard opened his door in a shooting stance and pointed a firearm at them.
Spokane Valley deputies took cover and called SWAT, crisis negotiators, and drone operators
Deputies say Howard pointed the weapon out the window making threats toward law enforcement and calling on officers to shoot him.
SCSO says Howard threw knives and other kitchen utensils at SWAT vehicles and tried to move a refrigerator to block the home’s entrance.
SWAT eventually deployed gas into the home and officers were able to take Howard into custody.
During a search, officers located a realistic BB rifle and a replica gun.
Howard will be booked into the Spokane County Jail once medically cleared.
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