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Two Spokane County sheriff's deputies killed forcing entry after woman reported being shot

K-9 deputy Parker Perry and SWAT sniper Mason Acheson came under fire during the attempted rescue, examiner names suspect's own mother and sister among the dead

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Washington sheriff's deputies killed after ambush during domestic violence call Washington sheriff's deputies killed after ambush during domestic violence call foxnews.com
A Spokane Sheriff's deputy A Spokane Sheriff's deputy foxnews.com
Parker Perry smiles in tactical gear and a helmet with a mounted camera Parker Perry smiles in tactical gear and a helmet with a mounted camera foxnews.com
Mason Acheson wears camouflage and sunglasses while carrying a rifle through a wooded area Mason Acheson wears camouflage and sunglasses while carrying a rifle through a wooded area foxnews.com
Mason Acheson poses with his wife and two children in a wooded area Mason Acheson poses with his wife and two children in a wooded area foxnews.com

Two Spokane County sheriff's deputies were fatally shot on Nov. 3 while forcing their way into a house near Spangle, Washington, after a woman called to report she had been shot. Deputy Mason Acheson died after being taken to hospital. K-9 deputy Parker Perry was kept on life support while arrangements were made to donate his organs.

Deputies first responded around 2:25 p.m. after a woman reported being shot; her injuries later proved non-life-threatening. The suspect held an active felony warrant and might have had access to more weapons, and there were believed to be other victims inside the home, so SWAT was called in. Around 3:15 p.m. Perry joined the team approaching the house with his dog, Brego, and forced entry. Gunfire from inside struck both deputies; their teammates returned fire, pulled them to cover and began treating their wounds. The Washington State Patrol closed stretches of Interstate 90 and US Highway 195 so medical helicopters could reach the scene.

A drone sent into the home found the suspect dead. The Spokane County medical examiner determined that Ryan Larsen, 37, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and identified the two other people killed as Suzanne Larsen, 72, and Rebecca Larsen, 45 — by a family obituary's account the suspect's own mother and sister, The Spokesman-Review reported.

The two deputies had served in the same Washington Army National Guard infantry battalion. Acheson enlisted in 2011, rose to sergeant, served in Poland from 2021 to 2022 and earned three Army Commendation Medals; he served as a SWAT sniper. Both men left wives and two children behind. Perry and his wife were expecting their third child.

Sheriff John Nowels told reporters it had been "a very tragic day in Spokane County" and that "a lot of families have been affected." The sheriff's office and Spokane Valley police said the deputies "bravely moved toward danger to protect others they did not know."

Perry, the sheriff's office said, would continue to serve others with the gift of life. Between them, the two deputies leave two widows and four children, with a fifth on the way.