A man who barricaded himself into a room at a burning motel was shot early Wednesday as rescuers tried to get him to leave.
Firefighters were called to Motel 6, 1919 N. Hutchinson Road, at 3:45 a.m., said Spokane Valley Fire Capt. Craig Warzon.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich characterized the incident as an attempt at suicide-by-cop.
While most the building evacuated, one man, who was armed with a knife, refused to come out of his room, Knezovich said.
The fire is believed to have started in the man’s room, Knezovich said. The man told deputies that they would have to shoot him.