A happy and sad ending to yesterday's Amber Alert for Ethan O. Robertson, the 5-yr-old that was abducted by his father Justin Robertson in Spokane.

Justin Robertson stabbed Ethan's mother and then escaped in a red Subaru Legacy with Ethan. Robertson was tracked down to a residence in St. John, Washington. The mother was able to call 9-1-1 and received help quickly. She will recover.

In a press release from authorities explains the course of events that lead to the death of Justin Robertson.

With the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Office, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol, Detectives located suspect Justin. P. Robertson and his son Ethan Robertson at a residence located near St. John, Washington. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiation Team, along with members of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Regional Air Support Unit including flight medics responded to the scene.

After several hours, Negotiator secured the safe release of Ethan to awaiting SWAT Team members. However, Justin did not surrender, and Negotiators continue to work toward a peaceful resolution which is always the desired goal.

After several hours, Negotiator secured the safe release of Ethan to awaiting SWAT Team members. However, Justin did not surrender, and Negotiators continue to work toward a peaceful resolution which is always the desired goal.

Members of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiation Team continued to try and persuade suspect Justin Robertson into surrendering peacefully after he released his 5-year-old son, uninjured. A short time later they lost contact with Justin, but they continued to try and reestablish communications without success.

After 6:00 p.m., SWAT Team members entered the residence and began a slow and methodical search of the residence. Despite their continued efforts to end this very volatile and dangerous situation peacefully, without anyone being injured, they located Justin deceased inside from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
We would like to thank the public, United States Marshal’s Office, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Fire Department and Spokane Valley Fire Department Helicopter Rescue Medics (HRM) and additional personnel from Spokane Valley Fire, Spokane County Sheriffs Forensic Unit, Spokane Regional Department of Emergency Management Personnel and Volunteers, Spokane County Sheriff’s Chaplains and Whitman County Department of Emergency Management for their assistance.

Thank goodness Ethan is safe but now the little boy and remaining family will have to live with the ramifications of the abduction.

 

 

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