Spokane Teenager Charged With Second Degree Murder Following Fatal Shooting of Father Intervening in Harassment

A 16 year old faces murder charges in Spokane after allegedly shooting Dylan Gray, a father of four who intervened to stop the harassment of a stranger.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 7:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Spokesman-Review

Fatal Intervention on East Wellesley Avenue

Tragedy struck a north Spokane neighborhood Sunday morning when a routine morning coffee on a porch turned into a fatal encounter. Dylan Gray, a 44 year old father of four, reportedly observed two teenagers following and whistling at a young woman walking near his residence. Witnesses and court records indicate that Gray, an amateur boxer known for his kind heart, chose to leave his porch to confront the teens and provide safety for the stranger. This act of intervention quickly escalated into a physical altercation between Gray and one of the youths.

Escalation From Physical Fight to Gunfire

The situation turned lethal when the second teenager, identified by authorities as 16 year old Onyx Deligt, allegedly interjected with a firearm. While Gray was engaged in a physical struggle with the first teen, who had reportedly used a headlock and punches, Deligt is accused of discharging a handgun approximately six times in the direction of the fight. The gunfire struck Gray, inflicting life threatening injuries that ultimately led to his death after he was transported to a local hospital. Both suspects fled the scene immediately following the discharge of the weapon.

Surveillance and Witnesses Lead to Rapid Arrest

Law enforcement utilized a combination of neighborhood surveillance footage and witness statements to track the suspects. Investigators learned the teenagers sought refuge at a friend’s home shortly after the shooting, where one teen was noted to have a hand injury. A resident at that home recognized Deligt, providing a critical lead for the Spokane Police Department. Following several days of investigation, officers successfully apprehended the 16 year old on Wednesday, bringing him into custody to face formal charges in the superior court system.