Spokane, WASH. — A fourth suspect in the deadly stabbing at the Apple Tree Inn in February has been arrested.
Tommy Leroy Elands faces a first degree murder with robbery charge and went before a judge Tuesday. He’s being held on a $1 million bond. Investigators say a drug deal led to the fatal stabbing, and Elands was seen entering the motel room with a mask on and holding a baseball bat. The medical examiner says 41-year-old Adam Stallings was stabbed multiple times and died at the scene.
Another suspect, Johnathan Woodcock, faces a second degree murder charge for being an ‘actor or accomplice.’ Elizabeth Wahlund, 24, pleaded guilty to first degree rendering criminal assistance and was sentenced to time served and two years of probation.
She and Woodcock allegedly left the area soon after the stabbing. The truck they were in was spotted in Ellensburg, and then they were spotted by officers in western Washington. That led to a police chase and ended in a crash in Kent.
Spokane Police shot and killed another man suspected in the stabbing on February 25th.
Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall says SWAT was trying to arrest the suspect, Richard Sheppard, in the deadly stabbing when officers say he become uncooperative. Police say Sheppard was seen entering and exiting the location several times with what appeared to be a gun.
According to SPD, the suspect attempted to leave the perimeter police had set up by jumping into neighboring yards armed with a long gun.
Three officers fired their guns, killing Sheppard.
The Spokane Independent Investigative Response (SIIR) Team protocol is handling that investigation.
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