SPOKANE, Wash. — No criminal charges will be brought against three Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies who returned fire at the onset of an hours-long standoff in the Moran Prairie area in 2023.
Spokane County Prosecutor Lary Haskell found detectives Nathan Booth, Kyle Leavenworth and Alex Velikodnyy were justified when they fired at 51-year-old Jeremy Bausch, a man wanted for assault, robbery and other charges. Court records and multiple statements from law enforcement say Bausch fired at deputies first.
The shootout and ensuing standoff took place on the evening of April 12, 2023. Sheriff’s deputies were staking out Bausch’s property after he made pointed a gun at them during a welfare check the day before
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said at the time that Bausch was alone in his home, so deputies chose to leave the scene and get a warrant.
Bausch allegedly went to a Safeway and threatened customers, which Nowels said, “changed the dynamic and forced (the sheriff’s office’s) hand.”
After a three-hour standoff, Bausch was arrested. After spending a day recovering in the hospital, he was booked into the Spokane County Jail on several charges.
Bausch was ultimately given a mental health alternative sentencing after reaching a plea agreement. He will serve 36 months in community custody and must check in with the court periodically.
