Man pleads Guilty in multi-victim shooting in East Central

A man, charged in a gang-related shooting in which a 6-year-old girl was hit in the foot, pleaded guilty today in Spokane County Superior Court.

Abubakar Samura, 21, had been charged with two counts of first-degree assault following the March 4 shooting in the 1800 block of East Fourth Avenue. Today he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault with firearms enhancements.

Matthew W. Woods, who was 23 at the time, suffered gunshot wounds to the legs and back. The girl, who was inside the house where the shooting took place, was struck by a stray bullet in the foot.

Spokane Police said that Woods was at the home with a friend when someone from a home nearby in the 300 block of South Pittsburg Street yelled a derogatory statement about Woods' gang.

The yelling led to a confrontation in which Samura shot Woods and then fired several more times as Woods ran to a nearby home.

Samura appeared today before Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza and pleaded guilty to the second-degree assault charges. Cozza set Samura's sentencing for Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m.

The Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team would like to thank the community for its support during this investigation.  During the investigation, numerous tips were provided to investigators.  The leads generated from the community allowed investigators to remain focused on locating Samura, and at the same time, to develop new information regarding the case.  This unyielding focus likely lead to Samura turning himself in.

This is yet another an example of the importance of the public to remain vigilant, and become involved in the safety and security of the community we all share.  

Any persons with information related to this, or any other gang related incident, are encouraged to contact the Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team at:

509-625-GANG (4264), or online at www.stopspokanegangs.org. 

As always, persons providing information can remain anonymous.

Assault At Party Leads to Murder Charges

On Saturday night, March 10th, Sheriff's deputies responded to an assault call near the 11800 block of North Bedivere Road in North Spokane County. When Deputies arrived on scene they found a male subject inside the residence that had been assaulted. There were over 100 people at the residence where there had been a large party throughout the evening. Deputies immediately requested medics when they located the victim. The victim was transported to a local medical facility where he was listed in critical condition. On March 15th the victim, Frank Motta, succumbed to his injuries. Once investigators were able to identify the suspect, The Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team was requested to assist locating and taking the suspect into custody. Early Tuesday afternoon, March 13th, the Gang Enforcement Team located 18 year old Treven Lewis at his residence. Lewis was placed under arrest and transported to the Spokane County Jail where he was interviewed by Major Crimes Detectives. Lewis was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the charge of Felony Assault.  After further investigation was conducted, the charge has been upgraded to 2nd Degree Murder.

 


Gang-related crimes typically fall within the jurisdiction of state and local law enforcement.  In response to the growth in gang membership nationally, several Spokane based federal, state, and local agencies have joined forces and created the Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team.   
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The act of engaging in criminal activity as a structured group is referred to in the United States as racketeering. Once a gang shifts from turf wars and organizes illegal activities with a money focus they have crossed the line and can be classified as an Organized Criminal Enterprise.

There are some facts you need to consider before you join.
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It's time to learn about gangs
and how to recognize them

Most people don't want to admit that gangs and violence exist in our home towns and sometime in our own families.  If we don't educate ourselves you on what's going on we can't help our sons, daughters and friends. Talking about the problem is the first step to fixing it.  If not, we know one group that will listen to your children - gang members.
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Gangs are morphing, multiplying, migrating and entrenching themselves in our inner cities, suburbs and rural communities.   They are selling drugs to our kids, shooting up our neighborhoods, invading our homes, robbing our banks and stores, stealing our identities, our money, and instilling fear and violence everywhere they go. Read more>>

 

Due to the growth of gang membership regionally and as a preventative measure, the Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team and the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC), have created this website to educate the public about criminal gangs and to provide a way for residents to report tips to thwart the potential threat.  This community policing initiative has been designed to help keep our neighborhoods and families safe from gangs and the related violence they bring. Read more>>

 
Prevent - Report - Get Involved

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Report Criminal Gang Activity Submit Tip or Lead
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