It is sad when someone has to be afraid for their life, but it is even sadder when someone has to be afraid of bodily harm from an elected official that holds the public trust.  This was the case last November.  Republican State Representative Matt Shea, Spokane Valley 4th Legislative District, pulled a loaded handgun on another motorist.  The unfortunate soul was Leroy Norris of Spokane County. Matt Shea was cited for two violations of state firearms law in the road rage incident.

Amid some minor discrepancies among the defendant, victims, and a witness, the Spokane Police Department and courts determined that Leroy Norris was speeding in downtown Spokane and perhaps driving a bit recklessly.  However, what happened next made the situation 100 times worse.

Matt Shea, armed and dangerous

Republican Matt Shea drove next to Norris and threatened him with his handgun.   All hell then broke loose.   Leroy Norris freaked out at the sight of Matt Shea and his handgun.  With “fear for his life” he sped away in his car at a considerably faster speed, weaving in and out of traffic.  With little or no concern for the safety of other motorists or pedestrians, Matt Shea chased him with his illegal handgun up South Monroe to 29th Ave.  One or both cars exceeded 60 miles per hour at times through the residential area.

Leroy Norris,  Matt Shea, and a bystander all called 911.  After their initial investigation, the Spokane Police Department decided there was insufficient evidence to cite Norris for any offense.  However, Matt Shea did not have a concealed weapons permit for the handgun hidden in his glove box.  The investigating officers also felt that Shea was threatening Norris with his handgun, which is also illegal.

Matt Shea is cited for the illegal use of his handgun

Therefore, the Police cited Matt Shea with two violations of the State’s firearm law. The Police Report reads as follows.

At this time the defendant [Matt Shea] is in violation of, RCW 9.41.050, the Carrying of Firearms law by the following (in pertinent summary): A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and the pistol is on the licensee’s person, the licensee is within the vehicle at all time the pistol is there, or the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and is concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

At this time the defendant [Matt Shea] is also in violation of, RCW 9.41.270, Weapons Apparently Capable of Producing Bodily Harm-Unlawful Carrying or Handling by the following (in pertinent summary): It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm in a manner under circumstances and at a time and place that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons. This is clearly shown by the victim’s belief it was an emergent necessity to avoid and maneuver around the defendant, and attempt to get away from the defendant, in the manner in which he did.

After more due process, the prosecutor decided to only charge Matt Shea for the first offense of having a conceal weapon without  permit.  Here is a YouTube video that we produced about the incident involving Matt Shea.

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