Deputies And Swat Respond To A Crisis Call Involving A Wanted Suspect, Recently Made Threats reported near 800 block of N

Spokane County Sheriff's Office reported a deputies and swat respond to a crisis call involving a wanted suspect, recently made threats event near 800 block of N on 2026-10-28 00:00:00+00:00.

Deputies and SWAT Respond to a Crisis Call Involving a Wanted Suspect, Recently Made Threats to Shoot Law Enforcement, and Arrested in August on Multiple Charges After Recklessly Shooting a Firearm Multiple Times Link to previous Air 2 & BodyCam Video from the August 13, 2026, incident: https://youtu.be/StZv1aqccGA . Also see the corresponding press release below. Spokane Valley Deputies, later assisted by the SWAT Team, responded to what originally began as a person in crisis. According to recent information obtained, the suspect told an Idaho gunsmith that he wanted work done on his firearm so he “could have a duel” with a Deputy. He also reportedly told another person, in part, “now everyone needs to die.” Additionally, Deputies knew the suspect had active misdemeanor warrants stemming from his August 13, 2026, arrest, where he was charged with 10 counts of Reckless Endangerment and 5 counts of Aiming/Discharging Firearms/Dangerous Weapons. Following his arrest, on August 17, 2026, Cartwright was released from custody on his own recognizance by order of Spokane County District Court Judge Pro Tem M. Addams. On October 28, 2026, at approximately 7:40 am, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported person in crisis at a residence in the 800 block of N. Herald Avenue in Spokane Valley. Deputies recently received information that the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Charles E. Cartwright, brought a firearm into an Idaho gunsmith to get work done so he “could have a duel” with a Deputy. They were also aware that Cartwright told another person, when discussing his August arrest, that “now everyone needs to die” and that Cartwright had active misdemeanor warrants for his arrest stemming from that same incident. Deputies established a perimeter around the residence, notified immediate neighbors of the danger, and made PA announcements advising Cartwright to surrender while warning force may be used if he didn’t. Due to Cartwright’s threats, crisis history, and potential access to weapons, the SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiators, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operators, Behavioral Health Co-Responder Units, and several additional assets responded to assist. As they continued trying to contact Cartwright to de-escalate the situation safely, they also worked to obtain a search warrant. While announcements continued, Deputies received a valid search warrant at approximately 9:45 am. Eventually, after several more announcements, warnings, and attempts by Negotiators to coax Cartwright into peacefully surrendering, the door to the home was breached. A UAS, commonly known as a drone, flew into the residence and located Cartwright standing in an upstairs room with his hands up. Afterward, Negotiators were able to contact Cartwright, and they persuaded him to peacefully surrender to awaiting SWAT Team members at approximately 10:20 am. Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident. This remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available at this time. Cartwright is expected to be booked into the Spokane County Jail on his warrants and potentially additional charges as the investigation continues. ### Previous Information Regarding Cartwright’s arrest on August 13, 2026: Suspect Arrested After Multiple Callers Report He’s Recklessly Shooting a Gun in His Backyard Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a male suspect after several neighbors reported hearing gunshots coming from his house/backyard located in a residential neighborhood. As Deputies positioned themselves around the suspect’s home and contacted his neighbors, advising them of the danger, Air 2 observed the suspect fire his weapon into the air. The suspect was eventually taken into custody, and Deputies recovered a black powder revolver. The suspect was booked into jail on 10 counts of Reckless Endangerment and 5 counts of Aiming/Discharging a Firearm. On Monday, four days later, he was released on his own recognizance by order of the court. On August 13, 2026, at approximately 7:40 pm, several Spokane Valley Deputies responded to reports of gunfire heard in a residential neighborhood in the 800 block of N. Herald Road in Spokane Valley. Callers stated a white male, wearing a brown shirt, was shooting a gun in his backyard. Deputies arrived and took up perimeter positions around the suspect’s residence while others contacted neighbors to gain information and ensure that they were aware of the dangerous situation. Air 2, already airborne, also responded and began to orbit the suspect’s home while using its camera system to provide Deputies on the ground with important real-time safety information. Soon after, a gunshot can be heard on bodycam video as Deputies ducked and moved to cover, while Air 2 captured video of the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Charles E. Cartwright, firing what appears to be a pistol into the air from his back porch. Moments later, Deputies observed Cartwright in his backyard with a holster positioned on his chest. They gave commands, but he began to reach toward the holster. A Deputy deployed a less-lethal round, but it deflected off a fence and did not hit Cartwright. However, it did have a positive effect, and he began to follow Deputies’ commands. With less-lethal and lethal options available should he decide to ignore commands and attempt to access the firearm, causing an imminent threat, additional Deputies moved as a team behind a ballistic shield toward the suspect. Thankfully, they safely took him into custody without further incident. After being advised of his rights, Cartwright told Deputies that he was in his backyard “blowing off steam.” He said he didn’t threaten or intend to hurt anyone, that the gun he was using was not a firearm, and he was using a tree as a backstop. Deputies collected the firearm, found to be a black powder revolver, as evidence. After speaking with neighbors in the area, Deputies also learned about a birthday party attended by several people, who left out of fear due to Cartwright’s reckless actions. Others sheltered inside their home for safety due to the gunshots. In all, it is believed Cartwright fired at least 5 shots, 4 around the tree in his backyard and 1 into the air. Thankfully, no one was injured during this extremely tense and dangerous situation. Cartwright was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on 10 misdemeanor charges of Reckless Endangerment and 5 misdemeanor charges of Aiming or Discharging Firearms/Dangerous Weapons. On August 17, 2026, four days later, Cartwright was released from custody on his own recognizance per Spokane County District Court Judge Pro Tem M. Addams. Air 2 Flight Crew Pilot: Rob Jones TFO: C. Bylow, Sergeant, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office TFO: G. Thompson, Detective, Spokane Police Department ###

Sources

  • SpokaneCountyWAIncidentFeed: https://www.spokanecounty.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6290