In the quiet moments of a winter night in Spokane, Washington, the life of 13-year-old Gavin Goose Looper, a Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On January 25, 2025, while engrossed in a video game inside a home, Gavin was struck by a bullet in what authorities have described as a drive-by shooting. The young boy, a student at Peperzak Middle School, was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head.
His death has since been ruled a homicide by the Spokane County Medical Examiner's office.
Gavin, affectionately known as "Goose" to his family and friends, was remembered as a vibrant and joyful presence. Those who knew him described him as a boy full of energy, with a knack for making people laugh. He was an active kid who enjoyed playing with his brother and friends, and his sudden and violent death has left his family and the wider Spokane community in a state of profound grief and shock. In the wake of the tragedy, his mother remembered him as a sweet, kind, funny, and smart boy who was loved by many.
The investigation into Gavin's death quickly led law enforcement to identify a suspect. Glen Dylan Burkey, 25 years old, was named by the Spokane Police Department as the individual believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting. Investigators have stated that they do not believe the shooting was a random act. Following a search, Burkey was apprehended in Missoula, Montana, and is awaiting extradition to Spokane to face charges in connection with the death of the young teenager. The Spokane Police Chief expressed outrage over the incident, highlighting it as a devastating example of the impact of gun violence on the community and its children.
