Autistic Teen Mistaken for Threat | Spokane News

A chilling video captures 20-year-old Joel Malin, autistic and a student at Evergreen Middle School, raising what appears to be a gun toward a deputy’s patrol car—before the footage cuts off. Malin died at the scene, later found to be holding a replica weapon. The deputy, a school resource officer on administrative leave, responded to a 911 call describing a suspicious armed man near the school. Malin’s attorney says he had no intent to harm anyone and was simply getting breakfast; she calls for urgent mental health support and an end to bullying. Police released the video swiftly, which her team praises as a step toward transparency. The school was locked down during the incident, and students evacuated. Malin’s death is described as a devastating loss that will echo through his family and community for years. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/354fd0b7d594c1bb