In the quiet, rural community of Spangle, Washington, a devastating act of violence on November 3, 2026, claimed the lives of four people and left another injured. Among the fallen was Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Parker Perry, a 29-year-old male who was killed in the line of duty while protecting his community. His death was part of a mass killing committed by 37-year-old Ryan T. Larsen.
Parker Perry was a dedicated public servant and a family man. He had been with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office since May 2020, after earning a bachelor's degree in business administration from Carroll College in Montana. His commitment to service extended to the military, where he served as a Captain and Military Intelligence Officer in the Washington Army National Guard's 81st Brigade, 1-161st Infantry Battalion, since 2017. During his military career, he was awarded two Army Commendation Medals.
Within the sheriff's office, he joined the SWAT team in 2022 before becoming a K-9 handler in 2025 with his partner, Brego. He was a husband and a father to two young children, with a third child expected.
The tragic events of that Tuesday afternoon began to unfold around 2:25 p.m. when the Sheriff's Office received a report of a domestic violence shooting at a residence on South Smythe Road. A woman had escaped to a neighbor's house, reporting that her brother, Ryan T. Larsen, had shot her and that she feared for the safety of other family members inside the home. Deputies responded and, using a drone, discovered a deceased person in the yard.
Knowing that Larsen had an active felony warrant and that others were in grave danger, the Spokane County SWAT Team was called to the scene. At approximately 3:15 p.m., out of urgent concern for the potential victims inside, members of the SWAT team, including Deputy Perry, attempted to make an emergency entry into the residence. As they approached, Larsen opened fire from within the house in an ambush, critically wounding both Deputy Perry and his colleague, Deputy Mason Acheson. Fellow deputies returned fire and heroically moved their injured comrades to safety while providing immediate medical aid.
Both deputies were airlifted to a local medical center in critical condition. Tragically, Deputy Acheson succumbed to his injuries, and Deputy Perry was placed on life support. A dedicated public servant to the very end, Perry was an organ donor, and his family honored his wish to give the gift of life to others. He passed away from his wounds on November 4, 2026. The woman who had initially escaped survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The standoff continued with assistance from the Spokane Police Department and Kootenai County Sheriff's Office SWAT teams. Later, a drone was sent into the residence and discovered Ryan T. Larsen deceased from what was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Inside the home and on the property, authorities found two other victims: Larsen’s 72-year-old mother, Suzanne Larsen, and his 45-year-old sister, Rebecca Larsen.
The Washington State Patrol was designated as the lead agency to investigate the incident. The community was left to mourn the loss of five lives, including two deputies who made the ultimate sacrifice. In honor of Deputy Parker Perry and Deputy Mason Acheson, the governor of Washington directed that all state and United States flags be lowered to half-staff. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office expressed their devastation at the senseless violence, remembering the fallen deputies as "true examples of selfless service and dedication."
