Sister of man killed by police in December Spokane shooting retains attorney

Jan. 7—The sister of Joshua Musselman, the 29-year-old man shot and killed by Spokane police on Dec. 29, has hired attorney Rondi Thorp, who previously Wrongful death lawsuits were filed on behalf of the families of several other men.

Police responded to Northcliff Terrace Apartments after reports of a man firing “suspected rifle shots” from inside the apartment. This was the second time that day police responded to a call about Musselman.

Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall said at a news conference later that night that police spoke to Musselman and “at some point, felt a threat.”

Hall said “as many as four” officers fired their weapons, but he declined to elaborate on how the response escalated into a use-of-force incident. It was unclear whether Musselman was armed.

Anwar Pease, a member of the Spokane Human Rights Commission and Musselman’s downstairs neighbor, testified before the Spokane City Council Monday night that Musselman frequently receives complaints from neighbors and believes law enforcement or behavioral health providers should be there. Intervene before an incident occurs.

Musselman made headlines in July after Spokane police arrested him and charged him with first-degree malicious mischief for attempting to steal an ambulance in downtown Spokane.

Court records show Musselman has a long criminal history, including convictions for attempted rape of a child, assault, vehicular prowling and malicious mischief.

Thorpe previously represented the family of David Novak, who was shot and killed by police in 2019. She also represents the estate of Robert Bradley, who was shot and killed by police in 2022. King, while lawsuits from Bradley’s minor children are still pending in federal court.

Thorpe said in a brief interview that it was too early to determine whether a claim would be filed in Musselman’s death.

“We are still investigating but we are concerned that his rights have been violated,” Thorpe said. “So we will investigate thoroughly and determine if a claim can be made.”

She believes the Spokane Police Department has failed to reform its practices in response to previous wrongful death settlements and that investigations into police shootings in the area are “an absolute joke and an embarrassment to good police officers everywhere.”

The Spokane Police Department declined to comment on pending litigation.