Suspect pulls loaded gun on Spokane Police during shoplifting call

SPOKANE, Wash. - A man was arrested after Spokane Police say he pulled a loaded gun on officers during an attempted shoplifting last week.

According to police, officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call on North Division Street around 9:15 on June 28. Employees at a nearby store said the car could have been connected to a group of people they say were attempting to shoplift from the store.

Officers walked through the store and saw the suspect, Jesse S. Johnson, 38, holding clothing items. SPD says Johnson had a warrant out for his arrest.

When officers approached Johnson, police say he pulled out a pistol from his waistband. After a back and forth fight with the suspect, officers finally got control of Johnson and took the pistol away from him.

No shots were fired from either party during the fight.

SPD says the gun was loaded. Johnson also had around 50 fentanyl pills and a bag of powdered drugs on him.

Johnson was booked into Spokane County Jail for assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest.

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.