Jakobe Ford, 22, was shot and killed outside Lucky’s Bar in downtown Spokane on the night of August 1, 2021. The shooting followed a long-running personal dispute between Ford and another man, Michael H. Le, connected to a woman Ford was dating. Friends and family say the antagonism included previous physical fights and threats; Le had been arrested in February 2021 for assaulting Ford and his girlfriend and was ordered to surrender firearms.

Witnesses inside the bar reported Le appeared to photograph or video Ford before a confrontation moved outdoors. Ford’s sister, who was present, said Le briefly turned away as if to grab something, then turned back and fired. Ford was struck and fell; Le fled on foot but was caught by patrolling Spokane officers. Police recovered the firearm in a nearby parking lot and charged Le initially with second-degree murder; the charge was later upgraded to first-degree premeditated murder as evidence of prior threats emerged.

Ford is remembered as a loving father and a record-breaking track and field star from Shadle Park High School who had just signed a contract to pursue a professional athletic career. Did anyone see Ford or Le in the downtown area that night who hasn’t already spoken to investigators?