SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – The Spokane County Prosecutor has determined that Liberty Lake Police Officer Darin Powers was justified in his application of lethal force against Shane L. Lafond at 24707 E. Kildea Rd. in Otis Orchards on December 21, 2024.
On December 21, 2024, at approximately 12:55 p.m., 911 operators received several calls regarding a hit and run incident involving several vehicles at the intersection of E. Wellesley Ave and N. Malvern Rd. in Otis Orchards. The suspect vehicle left the scene and continued east on E. Wellesley Ave and exited at E. Kildea Rd. Units from both the Liberty Lake Police Department (LLPD) and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded towards the area.
Civilian Adam Bromley, who was traveling east on E. Wellesley Ave., witnessed the hit-and-run crashes. Bromley also observed and reported the movements of the suspect vehicle and driver to 911 operators in real time. The driver was later identified as Shane L. Lafond.
After the traffic incidents, Lafond drove eastbound on E. Wellesley for a short distance and exited at E. Kildea Rd. Lafond then turned onto the property at 24307 E. Kildea, left his truck, and proceeded on foot. Lafond ran towards Bromley’s Subaru and hit the windshield and a side window with a Cherry Bomb glasspack muffler, causing significant damage to both windows. Bromley continued to drive east just far enough to keep an eye on Lafond and to stay out of further danger. Bromley continued to update 911.
As Lafond made his way further east on E. Kildea, he wandered south to the railroad tracks and picked up rocks that he threw at Bromley’s vehicle. As Lafond approached the residence at 24707 E. Kildea, he proceeded north onto the property with his glasspack muffler still in hand and entered the driver’s side of a red Chevy pickup truck that sat in the driveway.
Just minutes later, LLPD Officer Darin Powers arrived. Bromley directed him to Lafond’s location in the truck. Powers pulled up slightly to the right rear of the Chevy truck in which Lafond was seated. Powers exited his patrol vehicle with his duty weapon in hand and ordered Lafond to exit the vehicle. Powers identified himself as a police officer. Within seconds, Lafond armed himself with a folding knife with the blade extended. He exited the vehicle, accelerated on foot to full speed, and closed directly on Powers. Powers backed up several paces to increase the distance and fired two shots at Lafond, who was just a few feet away at that moment.
LLPD Sgt. Isaac and two other officers arrived and assisted in taking Lafond into custody. Aid was performed by law enforcement pending the arrival of AMR. Lafond was transported to Sacred Heart where he was treated and survived. Lafond has since been charged with several crimes stemming from the incident.
An independent investigation into the incident was conducted by the Spokane Independent Investigative Response Team. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) was the lead agency with assistance from the Washington State Patrol.