Communities lock down as police search for killing suspects

A tragedy that unfolded in Keller Thursday quickly spread to Nespelem as police searched through the night for suspects in the killing of two people and the shooting of a police officer in Keller.

As police from agencies far and near answered a call not heard by residents listening to scanners for clues about what was happening, Colville Tribal Emergency Services posted a warning on Facebook about 7 p.m. asking Nespelem residents to stay in their homes.

The mayor also issued that plea and added that a car chase was happening with someone shooting at police.

"While myself and other law enforcement searched the area, gunshots could be heard still," reported Coulee Dam officer Josh Watkins, who responded and stood by in Nespelem for hours Thursday night helping to contain and light the search perimeter after the search narrowed to a house near 10th and D Street in Nespelem.

But Friday morning, tribal police issued an update, stating suspects had not been apprehended yet and providing more information.

It had started in Keller, where tribal officers responded to a reported shooting. They found two people dead at the scene and tried to find a vehicle reported to have left it. One officer came across that vehicle and was shot in the arm.

He was taken for medical care and is fine, police said.

The search continued Friday morning for suspects whom police named as Curry Pinkham, Zachary Holt and an unidentified male. Residents were still asked to remain indoors, and schools were closed in Keller and Coulee Dam. Nespelem School is normally closed on Friday.

By 11:15 a.m., police said two suspects were in their custody.

That evening, police had arrested Pinkham in Elmer City, a Colville Tribes Emergency Services Facebook post announced at 6:08 p.m.

The third suspect has not been named, nor have details of the crime or its victims yet been released.

Holt and Pinkham were still in the Colville Tribal Correction Center as of Tuesday morning.

"The Colville Tribes thanks the Colville Police Department for their response to this situation, and we also thank the many neighboring law enforcement agencies who came and assisted in this investigation," Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson said in a statement.

"I also want to thank our community, including our tribal members and our non-tribal residents," Erickson continued. "This has been a difficult time, as people have been worried and shocked by this violent incident. Also, we know that many residents were inconvenienced by the restrictions imposed by law enforcement to keep people safe while the armed suspects were at large. But despite the worry and disruption, our community banded together. Many people called in tips and helped law enforcement make these arrests. We grieve the loss of life and pray for the families of the victims."

Earlier, a tribal statement noted that law enforcement agencies for Grant County, Okanogan County, the Spokane Tribe, Moses Lake Police Department, Ephrata Police Department, Soap Lake Police Department, Border Patrol, FBI, Salish Safe Trails Task Force, and the Washington State Patrol had all responded and helped in the search.