SPOKANE VALLEY, WA — A 13-year-old juvenile runaway was arrested early Friday after Spokane County deputies say he stole a handgun and a vehicle and used the weapon to force a younger runaway to accompany him, ending in a crash on Interstate 90.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified at about 5:06 p.m. Thursday after staff at a group home in the 14400 block of East Sharp Avenue reported two juveniles, ages 9 and 13, had run away. Due to their ages, deputies conducted an active search of the area, including the use of drones, and requested assistance from the public, but the juveniles were not immediately located.
Just after 2:15 a.m. Friday, a caller reported a black Mazda stolen from a business parking lot in the 1500 block of North Thierman Road. About an hour later, witnesses reported contacting two juveniles on West Thorpe Road east of South Abbott Road. The witnesses told authorities the younger juvenile was with them, while the older juvenile had walked away and was believed to be armed.
Deputies and Airway Heights police officers responded and safely detained both juveniles.
Investigators say the juveniles walked to several locations after leaving the group home, including a hotel parking lot in the 1100 block of North Sullivan Road. According to investigators, the older juvenile allegedly prowled vehicles and entered a truck, where he stole a loaded handgun later identified as a Glock 23.
Authorities say the pair later made their way to North Thierman Road, where the suspect allegedly stole the black Mazda. The younger juvenile reportedly refused to participate in the vehicle prowling and theft. According to investigators, the suspect then pointed the stolen handgun at the younger runaway and demanded he get into the car, prompting the child to comply out of fear for his life.
The suspect allegedly drove the stolen vehicle until crashing into the center median on Interstate 90 near the Geiger/Grove Road interchange. Neither juvenile sustained serious injuries. Investigators say the pair abandoned the vehicle and walked south on Grove Road, where the suspect is believed to have fired the handgun several times before discarding it in nearby foliage.
Deputies later located and recovered the firearm approximately 15 to 20 feet off the roadway.
The 13-year-old suspect was booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center on felony charges including first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Deputies said they have not yet been able to contact the owners of the stolen vehicle or the handgun.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional charges may be considered as more information becomes available.
