Suzanne Larsen

A quiet afternoon in the small farming community of Spangle, Washington, was shattered on November 3, 2026, by an act of terrible violence that left four people dead and a family torn apart. Among the victims was Suzanne Larsen, a 72-year-old woman killed in her own home. The tragedy that unfolded on that Tuesday afternoon would also claim the lives of her daughter and two sheriff's deputies, and injure another daughter, leaving a profound scar on the rural community south of Spokane.

The incident began to unfold at 2:23 p.m. when a 911 call was placed by a person whose neighbor had run to their house for help. The neighbor, one of Suzanne's daughters, said her brother, 37-year-old Ryan T. Larsen, had shot her in the chest. She had gone to the family home on South Smythe Road to check on her mother, Suzanne, and her sister, 45-year-old Rebecca Larsen, after being unable to reach them. Her concern was tragically justified.

When Spokane County Sheriff's deputies responded to the domestic violence call, they learned that Ryan Larsen had an active felony warrant and likely had access to firearms. Fearing for the safety of others who might be inside the house, a drone was used to survey the property. The drone footage revealed a deceased woman on the southeast corner of the property, later identified as Rebecca Larsen. Believing there were still victims inside, the Spokane County SWAT team was called to assist.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., as deputies and SWAT members attempted to make an emergency entry into the home, they were met with gunfire from within. Ryan Larsen ambushed the officers, critically injuring two deputies, Mason Acheson and Parker Perry. Fellow officers returned fire while pulling their wounded colleagues to safety and administering first aid. Both deputies were airlifted to a nearby hospital, but tragically, both succumbed to their injuries. Deputy Acheson died at the hospital, and Deputy Perry was kept on life support so his organs could be donated before he also passed away.

As the situation evolved into a barricade, assistance was requested from the Spokane Police Department and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office SWAT teams. After a standoff, a drone was sent inside the residence, where authorities discovered Ryan Larsen was deceased. The Spokane County Medical Examiner later confirmed that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Inside the home, authorities also found the body of Suzanne Larsen. An autopsy revealed she had died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her daughter Rebecca had died from gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma.

The investigation into the horrific event was led by the Washington State Patrol. It was a senseless tragedy that not only took the lives of Suzanne and her daughter Rebecca but also the lives of two dedicated law enforcement officers. The surviving daughter was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The case is considered solved, as the primary suspect, Ryan T. Larsen, was deceased at the scene, leaving a grieving family and community to mourn the immense loss of four lives.