Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Denali Chase, Alexis "Lulu" Taylor and Clare Wilkins ride on the Tekoa Royalty float in the parade.
TEKOA - The Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade procession was halted when a shooting broke out in a convenience store along the parade route on Saturday, May 18.
Reports say the shooting occurred at 9 p.m. over ice cream near Washington Street and Sprague Avenue. The shooting resulted in the hospitalization of two individuals.
Police arrested Charles H. Michael, 32, on suspicion of first-degree assault after he received treatment at a local hospital for a head wound due to the shooting, court records show.
Tekoa's Royalty float, represented by Queen Lulu Taylor and Princesses Clare Wilkins and Denali Chase, was the first float halted at the shooting.
"When the shooting happened, our float was the first unit to be stopped. I feel like that is something we can't account for and it was unexpected," said Tekoa Royalty Organizer and Advisor Melinda Wilkins. "I was so proud of the girls and the crew. They kept themselves composed and calm."
While details surrounding the shooting are still under investigation by the Spokane Police Major Crimes Unit, initial reports suggest that the incident may have been related to an altercation at PM Jacoy's convenience store.
Spokane police Lt. Jay Kernkamp assured the public that the situation was under control, prompting a reroute of the parade after a brief pause of approximately 30 minutes.
"The police kept us safe and informed. It was something a little unexpected and unsettling," Wilkins said.
Despite the shooting, Tekoa's float achieved second place in the royalty floats category for their division. According to Wilkins, judging occurred in the early afternoon, with a royalty reception later that day.
Their debut appearance featured a pink and black golf-themed float named "Par-Tee-Time," where the local girls performed a dance routine to Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright."
"Par-Tee-Time is based on a day at the golf course. Giving a little shoutout to our beloved golf course. It was something we had on the back of our minds and it came to fruition. It came together and we are really happy," said Wilkins.
Tekoa's royalty and float will make their next appearance at Rosalia's Battle Days main parade on Saturday, June 1. They will also attend Fairfield's Flag Day celebration and Tekoa's own Slippery Gulch festivities.
"We are excited to bring out the float this year. We are the only float in Whitman County, and it's important for us to bring the Palouse to these other towns for their celebrations," she said.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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