[Vision2020] Boys Charged for Vehicle Shootings Near Helmer

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (January 23, 2010) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

------------------------------------------------------

Boys charged for vehicle shootings near Helmer
No one injured during Friday afternoon incident
Staff report

Posted on: Saturday, January 23, 2010

Two male juveniles were in custody at the Latah County Jail on Friday
night for allegedly shooting several vehicles on State Highway 8 near
Helmer.

The boys have been charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm at a
vehicle, a felony, according to a media release from Latah County
Sheriff's Office Lt. Brannon Jordan. Officials did not release the boys'
names Friday.

No injuries have been reported related to the shootings, the release states.

The sheriff's department began receiving reports of vehicles being struck
by gunfire in the Forks Road area east of Helmer at about 1 p.m. Friday.
Dispatcher Nathan Reetz said the shooting continued over the course of the
afternoon, with about 20 shots fired. Officials believe about 10 vehicles
were struck, though there is not yet an official count.

Reetz said about eight of the vehicles were semi trucks. Dispatcher Marci
Williams said the semis were operated by Jack Buell Trucking.

Sheriff's officials and Idaho State Police shut down the highway from 3:44
p.m. to 4:31 p.m. as they secured the area of the shootings. Officials did
not locate anyone on the scene, but later identified the location from
which the shots were fired and identified the juveniles, according to the
report.

The boys were taken into custody at 7:20 p.m. and 8:34 p.m., respectively,
Reetz said. He said no further information about the suspects was
available as of press time Friday.

Information about what type of firearm was used in the shootings also was
unavailable.

The incident remains under investigation, according to the release, but
the sheriff's office has determined there is no further threat.

------------------------------------------------------

Seeya at the parade, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown