Mother, 18-month-old son die in shooting spree
Pastor Dale Morgan
Mother, 18-month-old son die in shooting spree*
CLARKSTON - IDAHO - A 31-year-old woman and her 18-month-old son died
and two other children, a three-year-old boy and an infant girl, were
wounded and listed in critical condition following a shooting in the
Clarkston Heights at 2860 Scenic Hills Drive Thursday afternoon.
The two wounded children were initially taken to St. Joseph Regional
Medical Center by Lewiston Fire Department medics and quickly
transferred to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. The injured
children were in critical condition with gunshot wounds, according to a
nursing supervisor at St. Joseph.
One child was taken to surgery Thursday evening at Sacred Heart,
according to a nursing supervisor at that hospital. He did not know
which child was in surgery or have an update on the other child.
The father and another child were not injured. The father left the scene
of the shooting at around 2 p.m.
The Asotin County Sheriff's Office released few details about the
incident in a late-afternoon press conference Thursday. Lieutenant Dan
Hally said they won't release names of the victims at this time to
protect the family's privacy, but did confirm the deceased are a
31-year-old woman and an 18-month old boy. Hally said they can't confirm
early suspicions of a murder-suicide.
"It's an unresolved incident at this time," said Hally. "We won't
release any determination until we, as an investigative team, have had
an opportunity to review all the information and ensure that it's
accurate before we can make that kind of a determination."
Officials also aren't confirming the relationship among the victims, but
say they don't see this as an escalating situation.
"We have received some calls concerning the possibility of danger to the
community," said Sheriff Ken Bancroft. "I can assure you that there is
no danger to the community involving this incident. So, we'll put that
to rest right now."
Officials said they'll be releasing more information in another press
conference Friday morning at 10:00 a.m.
Police and emergency responders were called to the scene at just before
12:30 p.m. after the father called 911. The Washington State Patrol,
Clarkston Police and Asotin County Sheriff's personnel responded, along
with Clarkston Fire.
The Asotin County Sheriff's Office is investigating with assistance from
the Washington State Patrol
(AP contributed to this story.)
Story Published: Jan 24, 2008 at 7:41 PM PST
Story Updated: Jan 25, 2008 at 12:11 AM PST