Man Charged with Assaulting Officer Moments Before Fatal Police Shooting at North Spokane Walmart

Thirty-three-year-old Tyler Forester has appeared in court in Spokane, Washington, charged with third-degree assault and obstructing an officer. Forester’s appearance in court comes just days after a man was shot and killed by police in a north Spokane Walmart. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has now released Forester’s name as the man accused of assaulting an officer moments before the shooting.

According to court documents, Forester allegedly came from behind and pushed one of the officers while they were fighting with a shoplifting suspect. However, Forester denies the allegations, stating, “I didn’t assault anybody. I never assaulted anybody.”

Forester claims that he was near the self-checkout area of the store when he heard a man yelling for help. He says he pushed the officer’s shoulder and told him he was being too excessive. Forester insists that he didn’t see the shooting, but he heard at least one gunshot.

The man who was shot and killed by police has been identified as 34-year-old Kerry Jones-Hilburg. Police were attempting to arrest Jones-Hilburg for shoplifting, and he was reportedly violently resisting, even after a taser was deployed. A loaded gun was found at the scene, believed to belong to Jones-Hilburg.

The officer involved in the shooting has been identified as Karl Richardson, a field training officer with the Spokane Police Department. Richardson serves on the department’s tactical team and also works on the Dignitary Protection Team, providing security for politicians, celebrities, and other VIPs.

Forester has been charged with third-degree assault and obstructing an officer, with a bond set at $5,000. He claims that he cannot afford to post bail.

The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about police use of force and the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The case will now proceed through the court system as Forester awaits his next court appearance.