SPOKANE, Wash. — Two men are accused of driving by a group of people and throwing a firework at them in downtown Spokane. A homeless man and teenage girl were injured.
The incident happened just after midnight on November 8 on South Wall Street between 1st and 2nd under the viaduct.
Investigators say the two men were driving in a white Toyota Rav4 and slowed down to throw the firework.
Police say it landed in a 15-year-old girl’s lap. A man picked it up and tried to throw it, but it exploded severely injuring his hand.
Court documents show that victim had to be flown to Harborview in Seattle for surgery.
Police say the suspects are Theodore Weymiller and Sam Hopper. Both are seniors at Gonzaga. They both face two counts of first-degree assault.
In court, Weymiller’s attorney said he was called by Theodore to arrange turning himself in once they learned someone was injured.
Hopper’s attorney said in court there was no intention by his client to cause any harm to anyone.
Documents show part of the alleged crime was caught on nearby CCTV.
Their bail was set at $25,000.
Gonzaga issued a statement Wednesday evening:
Gonzaga University was deeply saddened to learn that two GU students may have been involved in a violent incident that occurred in downtown Spokane earlier this month in which a person was seriously injured. The University extends our prayers and concern for the injured as well as all who were traumatized. We stand firmly in our Catholic, Jesuit mission, which affirms the dignity of every human life and condemns violence.
The University is cooperating with an active law enforcement investigation and cannot offer further comment at this time.
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