On the night of October 8, 2017, the life of 31-year-old former indoor football player Carl Sims, a Black male, was cut short in Spokane, Washington. The evening began inside Lucky's Irish Pub, where an altercation occurred between Sims and another man, later identified as Ricky Tanner. Witnesses reported that Tanner shoved Sims with enough force to make him lose his balance. Bouncers intervened and removed Tanner from the establishment, and shortly after, Sims and his girlfriend also departed.
The conflict, however, did not end there. Outside the bar, the argument reignited. Tanner allegedly confronted Sims and his girlfriend, claiming he was armed. As the couple walked away, turning onto Washington Street from Sprague Avenue, a single gunshot rang out. Sims immediately told his girlfriend he had been shot. He was hopping on one leg before collapsing from a gunshot wound to his leg. Despite being rushed to a hospital for surgery, Carl Sims succumbed to his injury and passed away.
The investigation into the shooting led Spokane police to Ricky Tanner. Surveillance footage from the area and witness statements were crucial in identifying him as the primary suspect. Initially, Tanner denied possessing a firearm, claiming it was a paintball gun. However, a search of his residence uncovered clothing matching what he wore on the surveillance video and a. 45 caliber bullet. Tanner was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder, with his bail set at $1 million. His charges were later upgraded to first-degree murder.
Further investigation led to the arrest of a second suspect, Payton J. Bradford, months later in January 2018. He was charged with second-degree murder and obstruction for his alleged involvement in the incident. Bradford was seen with a pistol in his waistband during the confrontation. Both Tanner and Bradford were taken into custody in connection with the death of Carl Sims.
