Deadly Carjacking in State Line Village Ends in Officer-Involved Shooting in Spokane Valley

Deadly Carjacking in State Line Village Ends in Officer-Involved Shooting in Spokane Valley

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA — A violent Sunday morning incident spanning two counties has left two men dead—one a carjacking victim in State Line Village, Idaho, and the other the suspect, fatally shot by law enforcement in neighboring Spokane Valley, Washington.

According to the Spokane County and Kootenai County Sheriff’s Offices, the chaos began shortly before 8:30 a.m. on June 15, 2025, when dispatchers received reports of a violent carjacking and shooting at the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop, located just off Stateline Road in State Line Village. Witnesses said a man approached a customer in the parking lot, forcibly stole their vehicle, and fatally shot the driver before fleeing the scene.

The stolen vehicle was quickly spotted by responding deputies from Kootenai County, but the suspect led officers on a high-speed pursuit across the state line, entering Washington via Interstate 90, reaching speeds up to 140 miles per hour, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies in Spokane Valley joined the pursuit, attempting to contain the threat as the suspect exited the freeway near East Trent Avenue and North Pines Road. Authorities say the chase came to an end shortly after the suspect crashed the stolen vehicle. At that point, the suspect reportedly exited the vehicle while armed.

What followed was a confrontation with deputies from both counties. Officers report the suspect failed to comply with repeated commands and instead raised a weapon. At least one deputy opened fire, striking the suspect. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, the suspect was pronounced dead.

The identity of the carjacking victim has not yet been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin. Authorities confirmed the man died at the scene in State Line Village from gunshot wounds.

“This was an extremely volatile situation that unfolded across two jurisdictions,” said a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. “Our deputies responded swiftly to a dangerous, armed suspect, and while the outcome is tragic, we are grateful no further lives were lost.”

Both East Trent Avenue and North Pines Road, as well as parts of Stateline Road, were shut down for hours as crime scene investigators worked across multiple locations to collect evidence and reconstruct the timeline of events. The Spokane County Major Crimes Unit, alongside the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, is leading the investigation, which includes reviewing body camera footage and interviewing multiple witnesses.

As is standard procedure in any officer-involved shooting, the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation.

Residents in both communities have expressed shock and sadness, with some stopping by the Whistle Stop Coffee Shop to place flowers in memory of the slain carjacking victim. Others took to social media to voice concern over the increasingly brazen nature of violent crime.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive behind the carjacking, but initial statements indicate the suspect may have had a criminal history and mental health concerns.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed any part of the incident is asked to contact the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Check at 509-456-2233. An autopsy is scheduled for both the victim and the suspect, and further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.

This tragic event highlights the unpredictable and devastating nature of violent crime, reminding communities on both sides of the state line to remain vigilant and support one another in times of tragedy.