Authorities: Mother dead, 2 sons hurt in domestic attack in Wash. state; suspect at large

1 dead, 2 sons hurt in Wash. domestic attack

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A woman is dead, one of her sons is on life support, and another son has serious injuries after what police are calling a deadly domestic violence situation at an eastern Washington home.

Spokane Valley police say the suspect, 39-year-old Jan R. Demeerleer, remains at large. They say he may be a former boyfriend or ex-husband of the woman.

Sgt. Dave Reagan says the attack happened around 3 a.m. Sunday. Officers arrived to find the woman dead and two boys — ages 9 and 17 — hurt.

The 17-year-old told police he awoke to a man slashing his neck with a knife. Reagan says the teen called 911, telling dispatchers “his stepdad had attempted to cut his throat and had killed him mom.”

He says the 9-year-old suffered a severe head injury. Both boys were taken to a Spokane hospital, where the 9-year-old is on life support.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. (AP) — A mother and child are dead and third person is in critical condition after what investigators are calling a deadly domestic violence situation in Washington state.

KREM-TV reports the attack happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday at a home in Spokane Valley.

Lt. Steve Barbieri of the Spokane County sheriff’s office says someone in the home called 911 while the attack was happening and was able to provide authorities with some details.

Barbieri says officer arrived to find the woman dead and two others seriously injured, including a child.

KREM reports the child, a boy, later died at a hospital, and the third person was in critical condition.

No names were released.

Investigators say they’re looking for a male suspect who is possibly driving a silver Saab. No other details were released.

Information from: KREM-TV, www.krem.com/

(This version CORRECTS that child is on life support; adds suspect’s name, details)