On December 18, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a female who shot a handgun at the victims (husband and wife) at a home located in the 11700 block of East 18th Avenue in Spokane Valley.
Arriving Deputies observed the victims on top of the struggling suspect, later identified as 64-year-old Effie M. Douglas, on the front porch of the residence. Effie was quickly detained without further incident.
Initial information and interviews indicate the victims answered a knock at the front door. Effie, with her face and head covered leaving only her eyes visible, said she needed a signature for the delivery and handed the male victim a clipboard. He did not recognize Effie with her head/face covered, and due to the cold weather and COVID-19 restrictions, this did not seem unusual as Effie stood on the porch holding a Christmas themed bouquet of flowers and balloons.
During the process of handing over the flowers, balloons, and clipboard to obtain a signature, Effie suddenly pulled a Glock pistol from the area of her waistband and fired one bullet, missing both victims. The victims, obviously in fear for their lives, successfully fought to disarm the suspect. Once they had her pinned to the ground, they called 911 and held Effie until Deputies arrived and took her into custody.
During the subsequent interviews, the male victim did not realize the suspect was his brother’s wife, Effie, until he heard her name and saw her face with her scarf removed. He explained he and his brother have been in a dispute over money since their mother passed away several months earlier.
Major Crimes Detectives were requested to continue the investigation. Effie was transported to the Public Safety Building to be interviewed by Major Crimes Detective Nate Bohanek. She was advised of her rights and declined to answer questions.
She was booked into the Spokane County Jail for two counts of Attempted Murder 1st Degree.
This remains an active investigation.