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<DIV><FONT size=2>Since this post appeared yesterday, I've received a number of
comments, including one which said I ought mind my own business since it was
just a couple of kids on a harmless lark and I ought trust the sheriff to handle
it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I don't believe it was a harmless lark, and I don't trust the
sheriff, left to his own devices and prejudices, to conduct a complete,
let-it-go-wherever-it-leads investigation, and I don't trust the sheriff to
release information found in the investigation that the public not only has a
right to know, but ought to know.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>In the first post I asked some questions. Here are some
more:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>One shot passed between two young women, likely known to
the defendants, coming through the windshield of the vehicle they were
in.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Here are some unanswered questions and statements that
leads me to think that this action warrants more that an unlawful discharge of a
firearm charge, perhaps even an attempted murder charge.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>At one time in my life I was a superior marksman, I knew
a bit about firearms and was very adept at using them, including a .22 caliber
rifle.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Again I ask these questions because the news coverage has been
more than just weak and inadequate, but quite naive and a disservice to the
community.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>A WalMart quality .22 rifle even with a WalMart quality scope
on it is not a very accurate weapon. Even in the hands of a marksman, the
accuracy dwindles considerably in ranges past 100 feet. Hence if the
snipers were shooting at the vehicle with the two women at a range where
accuracy is questionable, then regardless if they were only aiming at the
windshield, then they were certainly endangering the lives of the
occupants.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>What kind of 22. rifles were used in the assaults? Was
it a WalMart quality rifle or a high quality rifle equipped with a high quality
scope or laser sight? Where they using ordinary .22 caliber bullets or
higher power bullets? What position were they in while firing? Was
the rifle resting on something while firing? How good of marksmen were the
shooters? The answers to these and other questions are relevant to the
probable accuracy of the shots and thus the amount danger the two young women
were placed in.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Where did the suspects get the rifles? Where the rifles
their own? Their families? Were they provided, in part, by some
third party? Who all provided them with instruction on these
firearms?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>What is the relationship between the two young women fired
upon and the shooters? Were the shooters aiming for the windshield or one
of the occupants?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Before we start calling this a harmless lark and calling for
leniency for two kids, we need to know a lot more information. I think
that we would be best served by having the FBI, DHS, and ATF involved heavily in
this investigation so that there is a higher probability that the relevant facts
will be found, that the facts will be made known to the public, and to make sure
that some of our local crackpot political/religious groups were not involved in
some way and have not groomed some more gullible, not-too-bright kids to
pull off something similar.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow,
ID 83843</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><A href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR>208
882-7975</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>______________________________________</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>
<H1>Alleged Deary teen vehicle shooter charged with bomb possession</H1>
<P id=storydate>Posted on: Monday, February 01, 2010, <EM>Moscow-Pullman
Daily News</EM></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=storybody>Court records identify Austin Rickert as the Deary teen who
was taken back into custody and charged with an additional felony after a pipe
bomb was found inside a residence Friday.</P>
<P class=storybody>Rickert is accused of being involved in a series of vehicle
shootings on State Highway 8 near Helmer last month.</P>
<P class=storybody>He was charged with unlawful possession of destructive
devices or bombs, according the Idaho State Judiciary's online repository
records.</P>
<P class=storybody>Following the discovery of the bomb, the area was evacuated
and the Spokane Bomb Squad responded to the scene and neutralized the explosive.
The search was part of an ongoing investigation involving Rickert and fellow
alleged shooter Austin Medlock. The two 14-year-old Deary High School freshmen
were charged with two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm at a vehicle
during a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse last Monday. The Jan. 22
incident shut down a portion of State Highway 8 between Deary and Bovill for
several hours. Latah County Magistrate John Judge allowed for the release of
Medlock and Rickert into the custody of their parents on the condition they not
be out of sight of a parent except for when sleeping or attending school. They
also were prohibited from being around firearms and will wear electronic
monitoring devices, among other conditions. </P>
<P class=storybody>The teens allegedly shot as many as 20 vehicles with a .22
caliber rifle and a crossbow. The sheriff's office was continuing to investigate
the case this week to determine if additional charges needed to be filed.</P>
<P class=storybody>The teens allegedly discharged the weapons from a
three-level, 10-foot-tall fort located near the highway, according to court
records. Casings from the .22 and other evidence were apparently discovered
nearby, according to the document.</P>
<P class=storybody>Medlock and Rickert are scheduled to appear in court at 11
a.m. Wednesday.</P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=deco@moscow.com href="mailto:deco@moscow.com">Art Deco</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">Vision 2020</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=jmills@lmtribune.com
href="mailto:jmills@lmtribune.com">jmills@lmtribune.com</A> ; <A
title=alford@dnews.com href="mailto:alford@dnews.com">Nathan Alford Daily
News</A> ; <A title=asolan@dnews.com
href="mailto:asolan@dnews.com">asolan@dnews.com</A> ; <A title=murf@dnews.com
href="mailto:murf@dnews.com">Murf Raquet Daily News</A> ; <A
title=dbauer@dnews.com href="mailto:dbauer@dnews.com">dbauer@dnews.com</A> ; <A
title=billf@lmtribune.com
href="mailto:billf@lmtribune.com">billf@lmtribune.com</A> ; <A
title=sheriff@latah.id.us
href="mailto:sheriff@latah.id.us">sheriff@latah.id.us</A> ; <A
title=pa@latah.id.us href="mailto:pa@latah.id.us">pa@latah.id.us</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, January 31, 2010 1:34 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Hignway Snipings</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I have to take the recent snipings at chip trucks and personal
vehicles allegedly by two Deary area teenage suspects as serious business.
</FONT><FONT size=2>I have some questions, however, that have not been answered
by newspaper accounts or press releases.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>1. According to the initial press
release of the incidents, the first reported sniping occurred last Friday just
before 1:00pm. yet the highway wasn't closed until about 3:45pm. What's
going on here? Shouldn't the highway have been closed as soon as
possible? Couldn't some of the snipings been prevented by such a
move? When snipings occur elsewhere, isn't sealing off and closing the
sniping area done immediately? It now appears the alleged snipers went
through a police roadblock unchallenged around 2:45pm, and before the highway
was closed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>2. Prior to the revelation about the
possession of a pipe bomb by one of the suspects, this was still a very serious
matter. At least twenty vehicles were fired upon. A bullet smashed
the windshield of a passenger car and passed between two young women
inside. These were local Deary area women apparently known by the
suspects. Deary is not a big place, hence doesn't it seem likely that the
shooters knew exactly who they were firing upon in this case? The big
question: Why were only two charges initially filed against the
suspects?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>3. With the finding of the pipe bomb, this
becomes a much more serious matter demanding a much closer, serious
investigation, perhaps aided by the FBI, DHS, and ATF. What explosives
were used in making the pipe bomb? How did the suspect obtain the
explosives? What was the initial source of the explosives? Did the
suspect act totally alone? Or was he aided and abetted by others including
adults including members of some of the local crackpot political/religious
groups? Are there any ties (like between friends or relatives) between the
suspect and some of these crackpot groups? Was the suspect not only
encouraged by others but given material assistance and instruction? I
don't know the answers, but for the sake of local and perhaps national security,
these answers ought be found and reported.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>4. The press coverage has been meager.
If this had happened on I-90 in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County would be
swarmed by national media, and at least some of the above kinds of questions
(and many more) asked and perhaps answered. In addition, the <EM>LMT</EM>
revealed the name of the pipe bomb suspect. The <EM>DN</EM> didn't
claiming that the sheriff wouldn't tell them, although it appeared that the
<EM>LMT</EM> story was their source. Is it the sheriff who withheld
information or the <EM>DN</EM>, either party perhaps protecting someone they
considered needed protecting?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Again, I think this is a very serious matter. This is
not a private incident, it is a blatant public crime. The public has a
right to know the details.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Before making up my mind about what I think should happen to
the suspects or how area law enforcement can change so that they can
intelligently respond to these types of incidents much faster, I await more
information. I hope that it is forthcoming. I'd hate to think that
we are being subjected to another Steven Sitler type cover-up.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow,
ID 83843</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><A href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR>208
882-7975</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=2>__________________________________________________________</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>
<DIV>
<H2>Pipe bomb found at teen shooting suspect's home<o:p></o:p></H2>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">By Joel Mills Of The
Tribune<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><STRONG>Latah County officials rearrest 14-year-old after
executing search warrant as part of shooting
investigation</STRONG><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>One of two juveniles arrested in connection with the shooting of up to 20
vehicles on State Highway 8 last week was retaken into custody after
investigators found a pipe bomb during a search of his room Thursday, according
to the Latah County Sheriff's Office. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson Jr. said authorities <STRONG><SPAN
style="COLOR: red">rearrested Austin James Rickert</SPAN></STRONG> Thursday
after a PVC pipe stuffed with fireworks powder and primed with a fuse was found
in the room he uses at his grandfather's residence on Forks Road near Helmer.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Thompson said the bomb was likely made before the Jan. 22 shooting incident
that lasted for more than three hours and temporarily closed the highway between
Deary and Bovill. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>"We don't have anything to suggest he actually made this device or possessed
this device subsequent to his release," Thompson said. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Authorities allege Rickert and his friend Austin Blake Medlock used two
.22-caliber rifles and a crossbow to shoot at vehicles from a three-story fort
on Rickert's grandfather's property, where the boy sometimes stays.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Most of the bullets hit tractor-trailers, but at least two passenger vehicles
were struck. No one was injured, but one round passed through the passenger
compartment of one car, narrowly missing two girls. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Thompson said Rickert's father lives at the Forks Road residence full time.
Rickert lives with his mother in Deary but has a room reserved for him at the
Forks Road residence, he said. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Deputies were executing a search warrant as part of their investigation into
the shootings, according to a news release issued Friday afternoon by sheriff's
Lt. Brannon Jordan. Officials evacuated the area around the home, and a bomb
squad from Spokane neutralized the device, Jordan said. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Rickert appeared in court Friday, where he was charged with felony unlawful
possession of bombs or destructive devices. Earlier this week, Rickert and
Medlock - both 14-year-old freshmen at Deary High School - were charged with
unlawfully discharging a firearm at a vehicle in connection with the Jan. 22
shootings. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Latah County Magistrate John Judge released Medlock and Rickert to their
parents last week, on the condition neither leave the sight of one of their
parents; that all guns be removed from their homes; that they not touch a
firearm; that the parents take them to and from school; that they both wear
electronic monitoring devices; and they agree to be searched at any time by
authorities. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Thompson said Rickert's rearrest is a separate issue and was not due to a
violation of Judge's conditions for release. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Rickert will remain in the Latah County Jail for the weekend, and probably
until scheduling hearings on Wednesday for both juveniles, Thompson said.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P>Lewis County Magistrate Stephen Calhoun, the regular juvenile judge for Latah
County, will handle hearings for Rickert and Medlock from now on, Thompson said.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P>He said while the investigation into the shootings and the pipe bomb is
ongoing, there is nothing to suggest the teens were planning a larger attack.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P>"What happened last Friday was really serious and really dangerous," Thompson
said. "We're waiting to see if there is anything else behind this."
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P>--- <o:p></o:p></P>
<P><EM>Mills may be contacted at jmills@lmtribune.com or (208) 883-0564.
</EM><o:p></o:p></P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">___________________________________</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<H1>Teen charged in shootings arrested after bomb found<o:p></o:p></H1>
<H3>Spokane Bomb Squad neutralizes device found in suspect's
residence<o:p></o:p></H3>
<P id=byline>Staff report<o:p></o:p></P>
<P id=storydate>Posted on: Saturday, January 30, 2010<o:p></o:p></P>
<DIV id=in-story>
<DIV id=beacon_eb2a476ca8>
<P class=MsoNormal><IMG id=_x0000_i1025
src="cid:image001.gif@01CAA1D1.3EF2B250"><o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=storybody>One of the two teens charged with felonies in last week's
Highway 8 shootings near Helmer is back in custody after a pipe bomb was
discovered inside the residence following a search warrant.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>Following the discovery of the bomb, the area was evacuated
and the Spokane Bomb Squad responded to the scene and neutralized the
explosive.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>The search was part of an ongoing investigation involving
alleged shooters Austin B. Medlock and <STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: red">Austin
J. Rickert</SPAN></STRONG>. The two 14-year-old Deary High School freshmen each
were charged with two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm at a vehicle
during a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse on Monday. The Jan. 22 incident
shut down a portion of State Highway 8 between Deary and Bovill for several
hours.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>Latah County dispatcher Jenny Bryant said the department is
not releasing the name of which of the boys was taken back into custody as of
Friday evening. The teen has been charged with unlawful possession of bombs or
destructive devices along with the two other felony counts. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>Latah County Magistrate John Judge allowed for the release of
Medlock and Rickert into the custody of their parents on the condition they not
be out of sight of a parent except for when sleeping or attending school. They
also were prohibited from being around firearms and will wear electronic
monitoring devices, among other conditions.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>The teens allegedly shot as many as 20 vehicles with a .22
caliber rifle and a crossbow. The sheriff's office was continuing to investigate
the case this week to determine if additional charges needed to be
filed.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>The teens allegedly discharged the weapons from a
three-level, 10-foot-tall fort located near the highway, according to court
records. Casings from the .22 and other evidence were apparently discovered
nearby, according to the document.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>The two teens allegedly left the fort around 2:45 p.m. to
attend basketball practice in Deary and actually went through the vehicle
identification section of the roadblock outside of Helmer. They were eventually
taken into custody separately later Friday evening.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=storybody>Medlock and Rickert are scheduled to again appear in court at
11 a.m. Wednesday.</P>
<P class=storybody>_______________________________</P>
<P class=storybody>Courtesy of today's (January 23, 2010) Moscow-Pullman Daily
News.<BR><BR>------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>Boys
charged for vehicle shootings near Helmer<BR>No one injured during Friday
afternoon incident<BR>Staff report<BR><BR>Posted on: Saturday, January 23,
2010<BR><BR>Two male juveniles were in custody at the Latah County Jail on
Friday<BR>night for allegedly shooting several vehicles on State Highway 8
near<BR>Helmer.<BR><BR>The boys have been charged with unlawful discharge of a
firearm at a<BR>vehicle, a felony, according to a media release from Latah
County<BR>Sheriff's Office Lt. Brannon Jordan. Officials did not release the
boys'<BR>names Friday.<BR><BR>No injuries have been reported related to the
shootings, the release states.<BR><BR><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000>The sheriff's
department began receiving reports of vehicles being struck<BR>by gunfire in the
Forks Road area east of Helmer at about 1 p.m.
Friday.<BR></FONT></STRONG>Dispatcher Nathan Reetz said the shooting continued
over the course of the<BR>afternoon, with about 20 shots fired. Officials
believe about 10 vehicles<BR>were struck, though there is not yet an official
count.<BR><BR>Reetz said about eight of the vehicles were semi trucks.
Dispatcher Marci<BR>Williams said the semis were operated by Jack Buell
Trucking.<BR><BR><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000>Sheriff's officials and Idaho State
Police shut down the highway from 3:44<BR>p.m. to 4:31 p.m. as they secured the
area of the shootings.</FONT></STRONG> Officials did<BR>not locate anyone on the
scene, but later identified the location from<BR>which the shots were fired and
identified the juveniles, according to the<BR>report.<BR><BR>The boys were taken
into custody at 7:20 p.m. and 8:34 p.m., respectively,<BR>Reetz said. He said no
further information about the suspects was<BR>available as of press time
Friday.<BR><BR>Information about what type of firearm was used in the shootings
also was<BR>unavailable.<BR><BR>The incident remains under investigation,
according to the release, but<BR>the sheriff's office has determined there is no
further threat.<BR></P>
<P class=storybody> </P>
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