SPD arrests two teenagers for drive-by shooting after shots were fired at busy park

Last night – 4/30/24, Spokane Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at Chief Garry Park on Sinto Ave. around 5:30pm. Officers arrived to find a park busy with people gathered for baseball games and otherwise. Multiple witnesses on scene were helpful in providing information about, and pictures of, what happened. Officers learned that an argument involving a number of young people took place near the southwest part of the park. A car pulled up with two males who exited the vehicle and headed toward where the argument was heard. Shots were fired and the males from the vehicle returned to it and drove away. Shell casings were located in the grass.

Patrol officers were able to determine the registered owner of the car and learned from cooperative parents that their teenage son had the car. Officers located the vehicle at E. Euclid Ave. and N. Crestline St., pinned the car and detained the two males inside the vehicle without incident. At least one firearm was found inside the vehicle. Officers developed probable cause to arrest Hunter T. Simmons (18) and a 17-year old male. Both face charges of Drive-By Shooting. At this point, no shooting victims have been located. Anyone with additional information on this incident who has not already spoken with police is encouraged to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233. Police continue to investigate whether other persons were involved in this incident.

With warmer weather, more daylight hours and more people out and about, SPD has increased patrol efforts around our area parks. We continue to encourage community members to report suspicious activity in and around parks as we all work to keep our parks safe and enjoyable for everyone.