In the late summer of 2017, the life of David K. Chester, a 48-year-old White male, was brought to an abrupt and violent end in his Spokane, Washington home. A disabled Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Chester resided in a house divided into two apartments in the West Central neighborhood. On the afternoon of September 15th, a dispute simmering between Chester and a man who had been staying in the other apartment escalated with tragic consequences.
The conflict reportedly began when
Chester decided he no longer wanted the man living in the adjoining unit. As the man attempted to retrieve his belongings and his dog from the residence, an argument ensued. Chester, standing at his front door, is said to have used bear spray on the individual he sought to evict. It was during this heated confrontation that another man, 21-year-old Brettly E. Sanderson, became involved.
According to witness accounts provided to the police, Sanderson, who was with the man being evicted, gained entry to the house through a back door. Shortly after the man went upstairs to gather his possessions, the sound of gunshots echoed through the home. The man reported turning to see Sanderson holding a gun. When police arrived at the residence at 2407 W. Dean Ave., they found David K. Chester deceased from a gunshot wound.
Within an hour of the shooting, Spokane police located and arrested Brettly E. Sanderson. He was subsequently booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder. During interviews with investigators, Sanderson denied his involvement in the shooting. Authorities noted his behavior as erratic and his statements as difficult to comprehend. Despite his denial, he was held on a $750,000 bond.
