SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – The Spokane County Prosecutor has ruled that the use of lethal force by Spokane County Sheriff’s Detective Travis West and Deputies Josiah Loos and Samuel Turner was justified in a March officer involved shooting.
This decision follows .
On that day, Stevens County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies attempted to serve Hegel with an arrest warrant for charges of child rape and child molestation.
Upon arrival, deputies informed Hegel of the warrant and ordered to surrender immediately.
Hegel came outside but refused to show both hands.
One deputy drew a taser while another drew their service weapon, demanding Hegel show his hands.
Despite repeated commands, Hegel refused to comply, stating he had a gun and telling deputies to “just shoot me.”
As the situation escalated, Stevens County requested assistance from Spokane County and SWAT was called in ahead of lengthy negotiations with Hegel that were ultimately unsuccessful.
Throughout the standoff, law enforcement used various techniques and less lethal munitions to persuade Hegel to surrender peacefully.
A Crisis Negotiator repeatedly encouraged him to comply, warning that force would be used if necessary.
Hegel continued to defy commands and kept one hand hidden behind his back, telling deputies to “shoot him” before retreating inside the house.
After multiple failed attempts to use chemical munitions, SWAT members breached the front door and found Hegel in a lean-to on the northeast side of the home.
Hegel pointed what appeared to be a handgun at SWAT members and refused to drop it. Three deputies fired at him.
Once Hegel was handcuffed, a SWAT medic provided emergency medical care until a Life Flight helicopter and medical team arrived. Hegel was pronounced dead approximately 13 minutes after their arrival.
Investigations revealed that the handgun was a realistic-looking replica, and no other firearms were found in the house. Toxicology results showed alcohol and methamphetamine in Hegel’s system at the time of his death.
