Two Washington Deputies Killed During Potential Hostage Rescue Near Spangle

Two Washington State sheriff’s deputies were shot dead on November 3, 2026, while attempting to rescue potential hostages from a home near Spangle after a woman called authorities reporting she had been shot during a domestic violence incident.

The Domestic Violence Response on South Smythe Road

The emergency began at approximately 2:25 p.m. when an injured woman ran to a neighbor’s house in the 18700 block of South Smythe Road to report that her brother had shot her. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told reporters that deputies arrived and deployed a drone, spotting a body in the yard and confirming an active threat inside the residence.

Investigators established that the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Ryan Larsen, possessed an active felony warrant and potentially had access to additional weapons. Fearing for the safety of anyone still inside, members of the Spokane County SWAT Team and deputies approached the home around 3:15 p.m. to make an exigent entry.

As Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies Mason Acheson and Parker Perry moved toward the structure, gunfire erupted from inside the residence. Other deputies returned fire, pulled their wounded teammates to cover, and immediately rendered medical aid.

Emergency Response Efforts Transport Wounded Officers to Hospital

The deadly confrontation triggered a massive emergency response that required closing portions of U.S. Highway 195 and Interstate 90. The Washington State Patrol and local agencies halted traffic to clear routes for Life Flight helicopters and patrol cars rushing the wounded officers to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Deputy Acheson died from his injuries after arriving at the hospital. Deputy Perry was placed on life support in critical condition before also passing away, with arrangements made for him to donate his organs.

The adult female who initially called for help was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Liberty School District buses transporting children home from school were rerouted away from the cordoned-off area during the operation.

Investigation Inside the Spangle Residence

After the Spokane Police Department SWAT Team, Spokane City Police, and Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office took control of the scene, an unmanned aerial vehicle was sent into the house. The drone discovered the suspect dead inside.

The Spokane County medical examiner determined that Ryan Larsen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators found two additional victims dead on the property: 72-year-old Suzanne Larsen and 45-year-old Rebecca Larsen, identified as the suspect’s mother and sister.

The Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team, with the Washington State Patrol as the contact point, launched an inquiry under the Officer-Involved Critical Incident Protocol. In compliance with state regulations, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Spokane Valley Police Department did not participate in investigating the shooting.

Fallen Deputies Served in Military and Law Enforcement

Both fallen deputies shared backgrounds in law enforcement and the military, having served together in the Washington Army National Guard’s 81st Brigade, 1-161st Infantry Battalion.

Deputy Mason Acheson enlisted in 2011, rose to the rank of sergeant, and deployed to Poland from 2021 to 2022, earning three Army Commendation Medals.

He graduated from the Army’s sniper course in 2017 and served as a Washington State Patrol trooper and firearms instructor in the Spokane area before joining the sheriff’s office on July 17, 2022. He served on the downtown dayshift platoon and provided overwatch as a SWAT sniper, leaving behind a wife and two children.

Deputy Parker Perry graduated from Carroll College in Montana with a business administration degree and served as a captain and military intelligence officer in the National Guard after commissioning in 2017, earning two Army Commendation Medals. After spending three years on the sheriff’s office SWAT team, he became a K-9 deputy in 2025, responding to the Spangle call alongside his partner, Brego. He and his wife were expecting their third child.

They are true examples of selfless service and dedication. They are the epitome of what the men and women in law enforcement are; they are the best of all of us.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

Community Support and Tributes

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson ordered flags at state facilities lowered to half-staff on November 9 to honor the deputies.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted tributes on X and said the bureau would support the families.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said the Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort is accepting donations to help cover the deputies’ funeral expenses, with any remaining funds to go to their families. The families have requested privacy.