Social media posts recently drew the attention of citizens and local news outlets – and Spokane County Sheriff’s detectives.
According to a Sheriff’s Office press release, the posts contained allegations that an adult male had been assaulted, and his vehicle stolen on Aug. 18.
Spokane Valley Sheriff’s deputies began receiving inquiries regarding the posts, which alleged the victim was “attacked” before stumbling into a parking lot where he collapsed. Additional information indicated the male was admitted to a hospital and not expected to survive.
No report of the incident was made at the time in which a male had been admitted to a hospital in critical condition.
Reviews of calls determined nothing like the incident had been reported to the Spokane Valley Police, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, or the Spokane Police Department.
However, hospital staff had contacted Spokane police requesting help identifying a male who had been admitted in critical condition and not expected to survive. The vehicle the male was associated with had not been reported stolen.
Looking back through calls for service, a medical call was found on Aug. 18 at 1:30 a.m. reporting a male having trouble breathing in the 6300 block of E. Broadway. The caller went on to say the male “is od’ing.” The unidentified, unconscious male was provided medical treatment and transported to the hospital in critical condition, the press release said.
The male was identified with the assistance of law enforcement agencies and attempts were made to contact his family.
On Aug. 26, a family member of the male filed a report regarding the possible assault and theft of a vehicle. But the information provided was from the unconfirmed information circulated on social media.
After Major Crimes detectives began investigated the allegations, a surveillance video was located which clearly showed the male walking by himself, uninjured, before appearing to suffer a medical episode and collapsed on the ground, where he began convulsing. At no time was the man assaulted.
Medical personnel arrived soon after, provided care, and transported him to the hospital.
Due to the medical nature of the call and lack of any criminal allegation or assault reported, law enforcement was not notified of the incident.
With the evidence collected showing no assault or associated crime, the investigation was closed.
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