SPOKANE, WA – A Spokane man was arrested Friday after police say he assaulted one victim with his vehicle and later kidnapped a woman who had a protection order against him.
Spokane Police booked 36-year-old Taylor Gudgel into the Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree rape (domestic violence), first-degree kidnapping (domestic violence), felony domestic violence order violation, unlawful imprisonment (domestic violence), and first-degree assault.
The case began Thursday evening, August 14, when officers responded to a 911 call just before 9:00 p.m. in the area of Greene Street and Sprague Avenue. Dispatchers reported hearing screaming and what sounded like a physical altercation in the background. Officers arrived to find an adult male with significant injuries lying in the street. Investigators determined Gudgel assaulted the man during a fight and then struck him with his vehicle. The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.
The following morning, around 8:30 a.m. on August 15, police received another call from a relative of a female victim who feared she had been kidnapped by Gudgel. The woman had an active domestic violence protection order against him.
Later that afternoon, detectives located Gudgel’s vehicle in the 3700 block of East 26th Avenue. SWAT was deployed due to the circumstances, and officers forced entry into a home where they found both Gudgel and the victim. Gudgel was taken into custody without further incident. The woman was transported to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries.
Authorities are reminding the public that resources are available for anyone experiencing domestic violence. Victims in immediate danger should call 911. Additional support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Advocacy line at 509-481-0794.