SPOKANE, Wash. òòò½ÊÓƵ” An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery and shooting that left a juvenile victim injured.
Police said Joseph Depaulo has been charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree assault following an incident on Jan. 23, during which the victim was shot in the knee and struck in the head with a firearm. Another suspect is also facing charges, but their whereabouts remain unknown, police said.
According to court documents, the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in the area of East North Foothills Drive. The victim reportedly told investigators he had arranged to meet with some people via Instagram to purchase marijuana. Upon entering the car, the victim said he was assaulted, robbed and shot before managing to escape.
Police said they reviewed surveillance footage that appeared to show a struggle inside the suspectòòò½ÊÓƵ™s car, followed by a muzzle flash near the front passenger-side windshield before the victim exited and limped away.
Investigators said that they later found and impounded the suspectòòò½ÊÓƵ™s car, noting what appeared to be a bullet hole in the windshield.
Police said they also interviewed the victim at Sacred Heart Hospital, where a bullet was removed from his knee. The victim later identified Depaulo as the driver and shooter, and another unknown suspect as the person who struck him in the head and stole his belongings.
Police said arrest warrants have been issued for both suspects.