Armed Dog Walker Ends Deadly Knife Attack in Spokane

In the quiet Spokane neighborhood of East Central, what began as a horrific knife attack ended only when an armed citizen took action. The incident left two people dead, but it could have been worse—if not for a local dog walker who happened to be in the wrong place at the right time… and ready.

The Attack Unfolds

Just after 1:30 p.m. on May 14, police say a man attacked a woman near the Hart Terrace Apartments on East 11th Ave. The woman was helped by a neighbor who pulled her into his apartment for safety. Then the attacker attacked an unrelated victim, fatally stabbing him. The details are still under investigation, but both KREM and KXLY report that after the initial assault, Spino then charged and attacked someone who had nothing to do with the original altercation: a man simply out walking his dog.

Spino, still armed with a knife, reportedly charged the dog walker without warning. It was a terrifying and unprovoked escalation—but the intended victim was carrying a firearm.

Defensive Gun Use in Action

Faced with a charging attacker armed with a bloody knife, the dog walker had just moments to act. In that instant, he drew his handgun and shot Spino. The armed citizen’s quick response ended the threat before more lives were lost. Spino was pronounced dead at the scene.

This wasn’t some fantasy scenario; this was a real, fast-moving, chaotic attack. Imagine yourself in that moment: alone, walking your dog, when a bloodied man with a knife suddenly rushes you. There’s no time to think. Only time to act. That this man was armed, aware, and skilled enough to stop the threat shows exactly why concealed carry exists—not to look for trouble, but to be ready when trouble finds you.

Here is another dog walker turned victim story from about a month ago.

After the Shots Were Fired

In the aftermath, the dog walker did more than just defend his life. According to KXLY, he attempted to render aid to both the man who had attacked him and to the earlier stabbing victim. Sadly, both succumbed to their injuries.

While it speaks volumes about this man’s character that he tried to save lives—even the life of the man who tried to kill him—it’s also a moment to reflect on safety. Rendering aid after a violent encounter can be risky. Before rushing to help, you must ensure the scene is secure and you are no longer in danger. For more on this important topic, read our article: Should You Give Medical Aid to Someone You Shot?

Conclusion

This story highlights the importance of preparedness. An average person, going about his day, was suddenly thrust into a deadly situation. He didn’t ask for it. He didn’t escalate it. But he was armed, trained, and acted swiftly—likely preventing further tragedy.

Let this be a sobering reminder: danger doesn’t always knock. Sometimes it charges. Will you be ready?