On July 3, 2022, Michael Curtis Materne, a 36-year-old Caucasian man, was shot and killed in an alley behind his residence in the 5300 block of North Belt Street in Spokane, Washington. A dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Stacy L. Gerber, escalated into a physical struggle over a handgun; a shot rang out during the altercation and more gunfire was heard as the vehicle Gerber was in began to leave. Materne fell and later died of gunshot wounds to his upper extremity and torso, the Spokane County Medical Examiner ruling the manner of death a homicide.

Materne was a heavy equipment operator and small business owner, remembered by family for a boisterous laugh and as a devoted father to four children. The investigation focused on his ex-girlfriend, Stacy L. Gerber, who was identified as the primary suspect and had a warrant issued for second-degree murder; another woman, Daisy J. Ford, was also implicated in events that day. Materne’s family described profound grief and a permanent void after his death.

If anyone has information about what happened that evening or recalls witnessing the confrontation or vehicle leaving the scene, please share details with the Spokane Major Crimes Unit.