MEDICAL LAKE, WA — A Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in a fatal shooting early Saturday after an armed suspect opened fire at Eastern State Hospital, killing a hospital employee.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the series of incidents began shortly after midnight on September 27. Firefighters responded to a brush fire near the 200 block of East State Route 902, where they encountered a man acting erratically and making unusual statements. The suspect left the area before deputies arrived.

At approximately 1:40 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a man with a rifle who had entered a home near West Idaho Street and South Lake Drive in Medical Lake. The suspect fired several shots inside the residence before fleeing. No one inside was injured.

Minutes later, dispatchers received reports of an active shooter at Eastern State Hospital. A hospital employee had been shot in the parking lot. Deputies arriving at the scene exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was fatally shot near the vehicle he is believed to have driven. The victim, also pronounced deceased at the scene, was confirmed to be a hospital employee.

Investigators reported that the suspect was armed with both a rifle and a handgun, was wearing tactical-type gear, and had additional ammunition and equipment inside his vehicle. Witnesses said the suspect used the victim’s radio to transmit statements about “an army coming.”

Per standard procedure, the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave. The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team (SIIR) is leading the investigation, with the Spokane Police Department serving as the managing agency.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the names of the deceased once next of kin are notified. When the investigation concludes, findings will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Authorities emphasized that this information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.