Suspect injured in deputy involved shooting
Photos by CHANSE WATSON Investigators catalog evidence at the crime scene in Smelterville next to the Sands Motel. Several bullet holes could be seen in the building and nearby vehicles.
Sheriff Mike Gunderson and Deputy Prosecutor Benjamin Allen watch the investigation.
Law enforcement sets up next to the crime scene.
SMELTERVILLE — An adult male was rushed to the hospital early Monday morning after he was shot in a gun fight with law enforcement.
The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office reports that around 12:19 a.m, two SCSO deputies responded to a suspicious persons call in the area of Washington and F streets in Smelterville.
It was believed that an individual was in the process of stealing from parked RV’s, owned by Nickerson’s Towing, next to the old Sands Motel.
During the initial investigation of the incident, deputies ended up exchanging gun fire with a second male suspect. As of print press time, it was unknown where the suspect was shot, but it is believed that he was hit more than once.
Medical personnel with Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 initially transported the injured male to Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg for treatment.
After he was stabilized, the suspect was later sent to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene — where he was reportedly in stable condition.
“No law enforcement personnel were injured during this critical incident,” SCSO stated in a news release.
The identities of the injured suspect or the involved deputies had not been released as of press time.
A multiagency investigation, headed by Idaho State Police, was conducted that morning next to the Sands Motel. Law enforcement could also be seen interviewing witnesses throughout the morning in town.
Due to the nature of the incident, both SCSO and the Shoshone County Prosecutor’s Office declined to provide more details before press time.
Unfortunately, with this being an officer-involved shooting, there are very specific protocols and time lines we must follow in conducting our investigation,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Allen said. “Therefore, at this time, there is no additional information that I can release.”
With the shooting occurring near a neighborhood, many Smelterville residents jumped to social media to air their thoughts.
“Not really joyed over the stress of being woken up to several gun shots within a couple hundred feet to your house and then cops and medics swarming the streets,” one resident posted on Facebook. “Meanwhile prior to law on scene, you think your own house is getting shot up and your planning to go to Armageddon…hoping everyone involved is okay also I may never sleep again…ever.”
An updated story will be included in the Saturday print edition of the News-Press. For the latest on the incident, check back with us at www.shoshonenewspress.com.