A 49-year-old Spokane man with a prior criminal record is facing serious felony charges after allegedly forcing his way into a home, physically assaulting two people, and hurling racial slurs at a Hispanic woman and her family in the West Central neighborhood late last month.
Nathan C. Gunion has been charged with two counts of hate crime and one count of first-degree burglary following an incident on the night of May 27 near West Broadway Avenue and North Cochran Street in Spokane, Washington.
What Happened That Night
According to court documents, Gunion approached the residence, pounding on the door while spitting and shouting slurs that included “Go back to your country,” “You’re illegal,” and “Go back to Colombia” — directed at a Hispanic woman inside the home.
Gunion then pushed open an unlocked door, striking the woman with it during a struggle before slapping her in the face. The woman’s ex-boyfriend arrived at the home and pushed Gunion out of the residence. The confrontation continued outside, where Gunion punched the man multiple times in the ribs and chest before both men tumbled down a staircase during the altercation.
The ex-boyfriend told authorities he had feared for his life for months due to ongoing harassment and threats from Gunion. The woman similarly reported that Gunion had subjected her and her family to repeated incidents of hate-based aggression tied to their Hispanic heritage, a pattern that court records confirmed had been previously documented by police.
Prior Criminal History
Gunion’s behavior on May 27 was not an isolated episode. Court records show he pleaded guilty in 2022 to a harassment charge stemming from a 2021 incident in which he threatened to kill a security officer at a 7-Eleven located at Second Avenue and Division Street in Spokane. For that offense, he received credit for one day served in jail and was placed on one year of probation.
The relatively light consequence from that prior case is drawing scrutiny now in light of the more serious charges he faces. Victims in the May incident had reported previous run-ins with Gunion to authorities before the confrontation escalated to physical violence.
Hate crime charges in Washington state carry significant penalties and require prosecutors to prove the offense was motivated by the victim’s race, national origin, or other protected characteristics. The first-degree burglary charge stems from Gunion’s alleged unlawful entry into the residence while armed with the intent to commit a crime inside.
What Comes Next
Gunion’s trial on the burglary and hate crime charges is scheduled for next month. If convicted, he could face substantially greater penalties than the probationary sentence he received following his 2022 guilty plea. The case will be closely watched given the documented history of prior harassment involving the same victims and Gunion’s repeat contact with the criminal justice system.
Residents of the West Central neighborhood, a diverse community on Spokane’s lower South Hill, have had a long history of community advocacy efforts. Incidents involving targeted harassment based on national origin or ethnicity are treated as serious violations of both state and federal law.
No additional details about legal representation for Gunion were available in court records cited in reporting on the case.