A court sentenced a 23-year-old man on Friday to 65 years in prison for a “deliberate attack” on law enforcement that injured a Spokane police officer.
Spokane County Superior Court Judge Tony Hazel acknowledged Ray Wynecoop’s potential life sentence, but stated, “This crime is worthy of that sentence.”
“This was one of the more serious cases I’ve handled,” she said.
According to court filings, Wynecoop and his alleged co-conspirator and boyhood buddy, Isaac Ott, 23, targeted two northeast Spokane residences in drive-by shootings on June 26, 2022. According to papers, police reacted to the shootings only to be targeted.
With Wynecoop driving, the gang members pursued Spokane police Officer Michele Kernkamp’s patrol vehicle north on Perry Street, reaching Empire Avenue.
Seven shots were fired as Officer Kris Honaker’s police vehicle traveled through the Empire Avenue and Perry Street junction, according to papers. Honaker was hit in the calf, and a bullet grazed his scalp during the drive-by.
Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Preston McCollam and Wynecoop’s counsel, Spokane County Public Defender Katharine Allison, gave sentencing recommendations to Hazel on March 15. Hazel stated on Friday that he waited to do the sentencing because of the “gravity of the case” and to review court papers.
During last month’s sentencing hearing, McCollam exhibited a video of Ott filming the minutes leading up to the shooting, which shows Wynecoop carrying a gun, saying “watch this,” and driving behind Kernkamp before gunshots are fired.
Hazel stated Friday that the suspects “intentionally filmed their intended ambush” on police officers following two drive-by shootings. He stated that they looked to be motivated by “excitement and joy” in targeting cops.
“That raises serious concerns for the court,” Hazel stated.
Last month, Wynecoop denied waiting for cops and claimed he was “heavily medicated” at the time of the shootings.
Wynecoop apologized and expressed his regret, calling it the biggest mistake of his life.
“It was just something that spiraled out of control,” he told me.
Hazel claimed Wynecoop’s phone calls from jail discussed repeating the crimes and demonstrated Wynecoop was not “extraordinarily remorseful” for his misdeeds.
Wynecoop told someone over the phone while in jail, “If you can get me out, I can do it again,” according to records. In phone calls, he is heard chuckling as he describes the shooting and refers to himself as a “legend.”
Kernkamp and other law enforcement officers watched Friday’s court hearings from the gallery.
Kernkamp expressed gratitude for the sentencing outcome, the work of police and prosecutors, and Hazel’s diligence.
“The Spokane Police Department thanks the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for their meticulous and diligent investigation of this case and the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for bringing the case forward,” the Spokane Police Department said in a news statement.
“SPD is glad that justice has been done in the case of one of the two suspects in the shooting of a Spokane police officer and assault on another officer. The incident irrevocably changed the lives of the two policemen involved, as well as all officers who face comparable threats on a daily basis while carrying out their pledge to serve and protect their community.
Wynecoop pleaded guilty in October to 13 crimes, including ten linked to the shootings. The ten accusations included conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, five counts of first-degree assault, two instances of drive-by shooting, attempting to flee police, and first-degree malicious mischief.
The last three accusations included attempting to flee police and two counts of hit-and-run with injury for an unconnected incident in December 2021.
Wynecoop was also charged in federal court with possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a handgun as a felon.
Meanwhile, Ott’s trial is slated for April 22.
McCollam proposed Wynecoop serve no less than 783 months in jail, which Hazel imposed.
The sentence includes 34¼ years for conspiracy to commit murder, which is the high end of the usual sentencing range for that offense, and another 30 years for firearm enhancements, which are put onto both the conspiracy and assault charges. The attempt to elude results in a one-year sentence increase.
The remaining sentences for the other counts will be served concurrently.
McCollam said Hazel’s sentence was “well-reasoned” and accurately reflected Wynecoop’s actions.
Allison stated last month that Wynecoop’s youth contributed to the offenses and suggested a 21-year prison sentence.
She claimed Wynecoop’s crimes demonstrated impetuousness, peer influence, and drug usage.
Hazel stated on Friday that Wynceoop had lived a “criminal lifestyle” for many years, which he mostly selected.
“He wanted to be a hardened criminal and wanted those around him to identify him as that,” she claimed.
He stated that he hopes Wynecoop chooses to rehabilitate in prison.
“I wish you the best in life,” Hazel stated. “You do have the ability to change who you’ve been in the past.”
Wynecoop, clad in a black dress shirt and red and gray tie, was carried out of court in handcuffs following Friday’s punishment.