VIDEO Suspect Arrested After Multiple Callers Report He’s Recklessly Shooting a Gun in His Backyard

Air 2 and BodyCam VIDEO can be viewed on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel or Facebook Page.

Suspect Arrested After Multiple Callers Report He’s Recklessly Shooting a Gun in His Backyard

Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a male suspect after several neighbors reported hearing gunshots coming from his house/backyard located in a residential neighborhood.   As Deputies positioned themselves around the suspect’s home and contacted his neighbors, advising them of the danger, Air 2 observed the suspect fire his weapon into the air.  The suspect was eventually taken into custody, and Deputies recovered a black powder revolver.  The suspect was booked into jail on 10 counts of Reckless Endangerment and 5 counts of Aiming/Discharging a Firearm.  On Monday, four days later, he was released on his own recognizance by order of the court.

On August 13, 2026, at approximately 7:40 pm, several Spokane Valley Deputies responded to reports of gunfire heard in a residential neighborhood in the 800 block of N. Herald Road in Spokane Valley.  Callers stated a white male, wearing a brown shirt, was shooting a gun in his backyard.   

Deputies arrived and took up perimeter positions around the suspect’s residence while others contacted neighbors to gain information and ensure that they were aware of the dangerous situation.   

Air 2, already airborne, also responded and began to orbit the suspect’s home while using its camera system to provide Deputies on the ground with important real-time safety information.

Soon after, a gunshot can be heard on bodycam video as Deputies ducked and moved to cover, while Air 2 captured video of the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Charles E. Cartwright, firing what appears to be a pistol into the air from his back porch.

Moments later, Deputies observed Cartwright in his backyard with a holster positioned on his chest.  They gave commands, but he began to reach toward the holster.  A Deputy deployed a less-lethal round, but it deflected off a fence and did not hit Cartwright.  However, it did have a positive effect, and he began to follow Deputies’ commands.  

With less-lethal and lethal options available should he decide to ignore commands and attempt to access the firearm, causing an imminent threat, additional Deputies moved as a team behind a ballistic shield toward the suspect.  Thankfully, they safely took him into custody without further incident.  

After being advised of his rights, Cartwright told Deputies that he was in his backyard “blowing off steam.”   He said he didn’t threaten or intend to hurt anyone, that the gun he was using was not a firearm, and he was using a tree as a backstop.  

Deputies collected the firearm, found to be a black powder revolver, as evidence.  After speaking with neighbors in the area, Deputies also learned about a birthday party attended by several people, who left out of fear due to Cartwright’s reckless actions.  Others sheltered inside their home for safety due to the gunshots.  In all, it is believed Cartwright fired at least 5 shots, 4 around the tree in his backyard and 1 into the air. 

Thankfully, no one was injured during this extremely tense and dangerous situation.     

Cartwright was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on 10 misdemeanor charges of Reckless Endangerment and 5 misdemeanor charges of Aiming or Discharging Firearms/Dangerous Weapons.  

On August 17, 2026, four days later, Cartwright was released from custody on his own recognizance per Spokane County District Court Judge Pro Tem M. Addams.     

Air 2 Flight Crew

Pilot: Rob Jones

TFO: C. Bylow, Sergeant, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

TFO: G. Thompson, Detective, Spokane Police Department

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