Follow on Facebook at Secure, Washington
SPOKANE - A man was stabbed in the arm Friday morning near Riverfront Park, and police are looking for a suspect.
Officers responded shortly before 10:30 a.m. to the area of 300 N. Post St. in downtown Spokane for a report of a stabbing, according to the Spokane Police Department Facebook page. Officers found a man with a stab wound to the arm. He was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, the social media post stated.
Police believe the stabbing happened near the Spokane River but the exact location was unknown. Police said there is no threat to the public because the involved parties know each other.
Anyone with information to aid police in its investigation is asked to contact Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 and reference incident No. 2025-20091134.
SPOKANE - This Mother’s Day, Kitara Johnson Jones is taking more than a couple page’s out of her late son’s 66-page playbook.
Her son, Gabriel Fensler, died from a Fentanyl overdose on March 3, the day after his 24th birthday. While he was getting sober and enrolled in treatment programs, making tangible steps toward recovery, Fensler drafted a 66-page plan to address Fentanyl addiction in his city, the “Community Care Collaborative,” through connection with and compassion for others.
On Sunday evening, Jones is hosting a kickoff to a 36-day challenge in honor of her late son’s vision. Called “Gabriel’s Challenge,” leaders in government, business, faith and nonprofit sectors will convene at the Pavilion at Riverfront Park, starting 6 p.m., with members of the community in an effort to find unitedness against a common enemy in opioids.
“It’s a space for city leaders to make that commitment open, verbally and in front of the entire community so we can hold them accountable,” Jones said.
After Sunday’s event, which will feature music, speakers and recognition of those lost to fentanyl and their families, the challenge invites residents to form closer bonds in their neighborhoods in a few ways. Namely, residents can “adopt a block” to walk regularly and commune with those living there.
It’s the first step to what she thinks could “heal the city:” a relationship with others.
“That’s why I’m keeping it real simple,” Jones said. “I hope by the end of this we will see our political differences put aside and we can make some real change.”
SEQUIM — A 57-year-old man has been arrested on investigation of robbing Kitsap Bank in Sequim.
Dale Allen Jaff was arrested at 6 a.m. Friday by the Sequim Police Department with support from the Peninsula Crisis Response Team at his Jefferson County residence, according to a press release.
He was being held at the Clallam County Jail as he is investigated for first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and second-degree theft, the Sequim Police Department said.
Sequim detectives and police officers reviewed video surveillance from surrounding businesses, conducted numerous witness interviews and followed up on information provided by the public, according to the press release. Their efforts culminated in developing probable cause leading to Jaff’s arrest.
“Following the issuance and execution of search warrants, law enforcement discovered evidence at Jaff’s residence believed to be connected to the robbery and conducted an on-scene interview,” the press release stated.
Kitsap Bank, located at 1320 W. Washington St. in Sequim, was robbed April 9 when a man wearing a blue face mask and armed with pepper spray requested cash from a teller and sprayed the inside of the bank, Det. Kyle Resser said.
Police said the man fled the scene on foot, and eyewitnesses said he may have proceeded to a vehicle and left the vicinity. He took a few thousand dollars, police said.
No staff members or customers were injured.
“The Sequim Police Department extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Kitsap Bank for their cooperation throughout this distressing episode,” Sequim police stated in the press release. “We also thank the local businesses and community members who contributed significantly with video evidence and vital information that proved instrumental in our investigation.”
TACOMA - The co-leader of a drug operation with ties to Aryan prison gangs has been sentenced on federal charges.
Bryson Gill, 32, will serve 17 and a half years for his role in conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release Friday.
Gill pleaded guilty on Feb. 7, 2025. He was sentenced Friday in federal court in Tacoma.
“The seriousness of these offenses cannot be understated,” Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said via the release. “There are so many people out there that become addicted to these drugs or suffer overdoses and are no longer with us.”
Drug with ties to Aryan prison gang ring sold fentanyl, meth, heroin
Authorities stated Gill’s operation sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin throughout the Puget Sound region.
In December 2022, law enforcement raided his home and stash house in Shelton, seizing more than 640,000 fentanyl pills, $81,000 in cash, and 23 firearms.
“Make no mistake, Gill’s drug ring used violence and threats of violence as their stock in trade,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said via the release. “Gill was heard on the wiretap plotting to kidnap another drug dealer and expressing a desire to murder a law enforcement officer. With the more than $1 million he laundered, Gill bragged that he was going to set up a compound with an airfield in Arizona to further his drug trafficking. This conviction and sentence successfully ended those plans.”
EVERETT - The owner of an Everett lab faces federal health care fraud charges.
Federal prosecutors say from April 2024 to December 2024, Mohammed Asif, 34, billed Medicare $8.7 million for COVID-19 and other respiratory illness tests that were never ordered or performed.
“Medicare provides critical funding for senior citizens’ health care needs, which makes this type of fraud all the more reprehensible,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said. “This case stands as an example of how federal law enforcement is working diligently to protect those critical tax dollars from fraud schemes.”
Authorities say Medicare paid more than $1 million to the lab. Asif is charged with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, crimes that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Over 200 complaints filed against Everett lab owner
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Medicare received more than 200 complaints from enrollees and others about American Labworks between June 2024 and March 2025. Many people said Medicare was billed for testing that was never received.
“For example, one Medicare enrollee noted that Medicare paid American Labworks $545 for COVID-19 tests in August 2023 and March 2024,” the release said. “But the beneficiary had never had any COVID-19 tests on those dates. Multiple Medicare beneficiaries said they, too, had seen bills for tests that never occurred.”
In some cases, the billing records indicated that beneficiaries who had already died were tested.
“And in other instances, the physician who allegedly referred the patient for testing was dead at the time of the date of service,” the release said.
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office, said there is nothing legitimate about Asif’s company.
“Mr. Asif, along with his co-conspirators, used this apparently illegitimate company to fraudulently bill Medicare almost $9 million for tests that were never done,” Herrington said. “When we receive allegations such as these, the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate potential fraud against the U.S. taxpayer.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Robb Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), said authorities will continue to work with law enforcement to hold people accountable.
WASHINGTON STATE - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) said troopers arrested two brothers who led them on separate pursuits Wednesday.
Authorities said it started when they tried to pull over a car for a traffic violation on I-90 near Preston, but the driver took off.
WSP car dash cam video shows that as troopers pursued the vehicle, a silver Infiniti drove in between the vehicle and the patrol car. The Infiniti began weaving back and forth.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) said troopers arrested two brothers who led them on separate pursuits Wednesday.
Authorities said it started when they tried to pull over a car for a traffic violation on I-90 near Preston, but the driver took off.
WSP car dash cam video shows that as troopers pursued the vehicle, a silver Infiniti drove in between the vehicle and the patrol car. The Infiniti began weaving back and forth.
Troopers arrested the 21-year-old driver. They found a woman passenger with a baby on her lap, but troopers said both were OK.
Washington State Patrol arrests 18-year-old brother of 21-year-old
Meanwhile, Washington State Department of Transportation cameras spotted the Infiniti on I-90 in Bellevue.
Troopers pursued it into Seattle, where the car exited and came to a stop near Swift and Albro streets.
The passenger and the driver were arrested. The driver turned out to be the 21-year-old’s 18-year-old brother.
SEATTLE — A 20-year-old Tacoma man remains hospitalized more than a month after being struck in a hit-and-run collision on State Route 520 in Seattle. Washington State Patrol is now urging witnesses to come forward as the family seeks justice.
Dontrell Green suffered a severe brain injury when he was hit by a vehicle that fled the scene during the early morning hours of April 6th. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. near the Montlake area of SR-520.
According to investigators, Green was involved in a single-car collision on eastbound SR-520. His girlfriend was in the passenger seat.
"He lost control of his car, and he hit the median, and I think that he was just like, shook up so he decided to get out of the car, and it would be better if they walked off onto the exit," said Catherine Sanderson, Green's mother.
After the initial crash, as Green and his girlfriend exited the vehicle to walk across SR-520, a car came from behind, struck Green, and continued driving without stopping.
Evidence recovered at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle is likely a silver 2004-2009 Toyota Prius. Troopers found a vehicle fragment at the collision site, suggesting the vehicle may have distinctive red paint markings.
"One of the lenses that was found as evidence at the scene had some overspray red spray paint," noted WSP Trooper Rick Johnson.
Green remains at Harborview Medical Center, where his family has maintained a constant presence since the incident. The severity of his brain injury has created uncertainty about his recovery prospects.
"We just don't know what that is until he wakes up fully, until his brain wakes up. We just don't know what that looks like," Sanderson explained while discussing her son's condition.
The family has established a fundraising campaign to assist with mounting medical expenses and anticipated rehabilitation costs. Meanwhile, they're also hoping for justice and asking the driver responsible to come forward.
"I just would hope that they would think of it as one of their loved ones. And this person, he or she, they need to be accountable for what they put my son through," said Sanderson.
Friends and family describe Green as someone who is consistently there for others.
"He's a great kid. He's always there for everybody," his mother shared, recalling his "cheesy smile" and kind personality.
TACOMA, Wash. — The 16-year-old charged in the death of a Tacoma bagel shop co-owner pleaded guilty to two charges in Louisiana on Friday.
Malik Cornelius, who is being tried as an adult, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a pre-trial hearing that was attending virtually by Jacob Carter's family, according to court records.
Carter was killed in the Marigny neighborhood on Jan. 5, 2024, while he was on vacation with his husband Daniel Blagovich. The New Orleans Police Department said Carter was found dead after an overnight shooting near Bourbon and Kerlerec Streets.
The teen suspect was arrest a week later around Jan. 12.
Carter and Blagovich owned Howdy Bagel in Tacoma together. It closed for a month following Carter's death and the community stepped up to support the business and Blagovich by raising more than $300,000.
At the time of the bagel shop's reopening, Blagovich said it felt right to continue his and his husband's shared dream.
"I never planned on doing any of this without him, and I know he's said the same to me before, so I feel like he's happy that I'm trying my best," he said.
Cornelius will be sentenced on May 19.
RENTON, Wash. — An 18-year-old man was critically injured in a shooting during a large party in Renton Thursday night.
According to the Renton Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 600 block of Queen Avenue NE around 9:20 p.m.
Witnesses reported that a fight broke out at the party, followed by the sound of gunshots.
Responding officers found the 18-year-old victim, and he was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, the RPD said.
Many attendees fled when the gunfire erupted, including the suspect. Authorities are actively working to identify witnesses to the altercation.
No other information is available at this time.
SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane man was arrested Thursday evening after allegedly impersonating a police officer on the Chumstick Highway near Leavenworth, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) said.
The WSP reported around 6:40 p.m., a male driver in an unmarked silver Ford Crown Victoria tried to make a traffic stop using red and blue lights mounted in the dashboard area.
The other driver initially tried to pull over but was passed by the Crown Victoria. About 10 miles later, on Eastbound US 2 near Dryden, the Crown Victoria attempted to pull the same driver over again.
The driver was able to photograph the vehicle and report the incident to the WSP.
At around 7:01 p.m., a trooper from Moses Lake spotted the vehicle, which matched the description and had a temporary plate.
The Crown Victoria was followed and eventually detained at approximately 7:16 p.m. on Road 5 at Road R, about five miles outside of Quincy.
Photos provided by the WSP of items found within the car include multiple radios/walkie talkies, a handgun, and a rifle with multiple clips of ammo.
The WSP said the 62-year-old suspect was cooperative during the investigation. He was charged with criminal impersonation in and booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail.
The Washington State Patrol emphasized that police impersonation is a rare event. They advised drivers who suspect they are being pulled over by someone other than a commissioned police officer to stay calm, use flashers, drive to a secure location, and call 911 immediately.
PUYALLUP, Wash. — A gun owner was robbed at gunpoint last month during an attempted sale of his AR-15 rifle in a grocery store parking lot, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office reported.
Deputies were called to the 15800 block of Pacific Ave. S., where they met the victim, who told them that two juveniles and two young adults had pointed a handgun at him and stolen the AR-15 and the handgun in his waistband.
The suspects fled the scene in a getaway van, but witnesses captured the vehicle's license plate and description.
Deputies were able to link the car to known juveniles with prior convictions for armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
The getaway van was located hours later in the Sunrise area of Puyallup. Two suspects fled from the vehicle, while two others remained inside and complied with authorities.
Three suspects were taken into custody, and the fourth was later apprehended with the help of K9 Griff from the Puyallup Police Department.
The PCSO did not mention if any of the teenagers or adults were handed any charges.
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — The man who was found guilty of fatally shooting his child's mother in December of 2023 was sentenced to 50 years in prison Friday afternoon.
Duane Dushon Moore was charged with first-degree murder after he shot his child's mother, Kayla Vallee, 40, multiple times while she was picking up their 10-year-old son.
The Pierce County judge overseeing the case granted the motion for Moore to wave his right to be present in court during Friday's sentencing. Kayla's family said that decision was for the best.
“I actually didn’t want him to know how he’s affected my life because I believe he would take pleasure in it cause of the way he is," said Christine Kingsbury, Vallee's mother.
Vallee's family said her death likely happened as her 10-year-old son was asleep in that same apartment, and the boy was unhurt. Family members also claimed Vallee was emotionally abused by Moore for years.
“He broke her down, he got her to do something that she would have never done and that was walk into that apartment that day alone," said Thomas Proulx, Kayla's stepfather outside the courtroom.
"I begged her. I said, ‘Kayla, please don’t go into that apartment alone.' And she said, ‘Mom, this might be my last chance to get my son back,'" said Kingsbury. "Maybe she should’ve been more nervous, but she was blinded by her love for her son."
It would be the last time Vallee's family ever saw her alive.
Hours later, they said they watched in horror as Vallee's ex-boyfriend unexpectedly dropped his son off in their driveway with no sight of Vallee. They said the child's father sped off and refused to take their calls regarding Vallee's whereabouts.
During court, family and friends sharing how much they miss Kayla being around.
“She was an amazing mother who would have done anything for her kids, and unfortunately because of this coward that is why we are here today," said Rick Buckles, Kayla's best friend.
Vallee’s family eventually requested a welfare check in Buckley because they could not reach her. Vallee’s car was eventually found in the parking lot of the apartment complex where her son's father lived. After entering the complex, PCSD deputies said they found Vallee dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
While conducting the aforementioned welfare check, Pierce County deputies found Moore in Buckley, sitting in his car, refusing to come out, which resulted in a SWAT standoff. PCSD said the standoff ended when he was shot with a stun gun.
KOMO News learned that Vallee was in the process of filing a contempt of custody declaration against the Moore. According to Valle's family, Moore often told her that nobody would care if she died.
Moore was then taken to the hospital for several days before being booked into the Pierce County jail Thursday afternoon.
RENTON, Wash. — Two people were injured in an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Renton Friday evening, according to the Renton Police Department.
The RPD posted on social media that there is a "large police presence" in the 16800 block of 116th Ave SE due to an "officer-involved shooting."
"Renton police and Valley SWAT were attempting to arrest a shooting suspect when gunfire broke out," wrote the RPD on social media. "The shooting suspect is in custody, and two others are injured."
The extent of the shooting victim's injuries are currently unknown.
The Independent Force Investigative Team - King County will be investigating the shooting, according to the RPD.