Spokane Police: We Are Shutting Down The Knitting Factory - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

TWEET FROM KHQ'S KELSEY WATTS: Straub told the Knitting Factory about his plans to shut down the venue just a few minutes ago, around 10:45am.

TWEET FROM KHQ'S KELSEY WATTS: Straub: No arrests have been made in overnight shootings, but they have identified the gangs or groups involved.

TWEET FROM KHQ'S KELSEY WATTS: Straub: Knitting Factory is shut down effective immediately for 20 days. "They were less than pleased."

TWEET FROM KHQ'S KELSEY WATTS: Straub: "We're going to bring these people to justice very quickly." Suspects have been identified in gang shootings.

TWEET FROM KHQ'S KELSEY WATTS: Chief Straub: "This will not be tolerated. I've ordered the Knitting Factory be shut down."

UPDATE: Chief Straub has ordered the Knitting Factory be shut down. They'll have 20 days to appeal his decision. SPD has responded to several calls for shootings and violence there.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE POLICE DEPT: At 2:18am, 911 received a call of "someone shot", as well as people running around and yelling in the Knitting Factory parking lot at 919 W. Sprague. More than 20 SPD officers responded to the scene within minutes.  Two males suffered gunshot wounds and are being treated at a local hospital. Both victims are listed in serious condition.

The parking lot and surrounding area was established as a crime scene, which allowed the SPD Forensic Unit to process the scene for physical evidence. Sprague Avenue between Post and Lincoln was shut down during the investigation. 

Thirty minutes later, at 2:50am, someone called police to report hearing gun shots, a vehicle "peeling out" and a woman screaming at 1719 N. Maple. Witnesses reported seeing someone lying in the street. Again, nearly 20 officers, including Spokane County Sheriff's Deputies, responded to the shooting. Two males were identified with gunshot wounds and are being treated at a local hospital.

 "Violence will not be tolerated and we will not allow a small group of people to repeatedly commit violent acts at this location or any other. We have identified the persons involved in this incident and are working to ensure a suspect is quickly brought to justice," Chief Frank Straub said.

This is the fourth time Spokane Police officers have responded to the Knitting Factory on a report of a shooting in the past year alone. Additionally, SPD officers have responded to numerous other incidents of violence at or near this location.

Despite this incident, overall crime in downtown Spokane is down more than 10% since the beginning of the year and the increased downtown police presence is having the intended effect.

Anyone with information regarding last night's shooting is urged to call Crimestoppers 800-222-TIPS.

ORIGINAL STORY:

SPOKANE, Wash. - Four people are in the hospital recovering, while police work to analyze two different sites where they say multiple people have been shot.

The first shooting was called out just after 2AM at the Knitting Factory in downtown Spokane at 1st and Monroe. Police responding found two gunshot victims with non-life threatening injuries.

While police were processing that scene, another shooting call came out about a half hour later at the intersection of Nora and Maple. Police arriving there found another two victims, also with non-life threatening injuries.

After investigating and interviewing witnesses, police believe that the shootings are not only related to one another, but also involve gangs. Police say there is no threat to the public, but they are looking for at least one person of interest.

Police went on to say the victims are cooperating at varying levels. This investigation is ongoing and involves members from the Spokane Police Department's Major Crimes as well as Gang units.