Officials release name of driver in I-90 shooting

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office on Thursday released the name of the driver who was shot by an Idaho State Patrol trooper near the Montana border on Wednesday.

Alexander L. Mandarino, 26, from Whitefish, Mont., was the driver of an orange Scion XD that a Shoshone County sheriff's deputy stopped to check on in a turn-out area near the top of Lookout Pass on Interstate 90. His family has been notified.

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, as the Shoshone County deputy approached Mandarino, he noticed that he was possession of a handgun and a scuffle ensued.

The ISP trooper, who responded to the scene to assist the deputy, reportedly shot Mandarino, who later died from the gunshot wound.

An autopsy was performed Thursday afternoon. Results of the autopsy were not available at press time, and toxicology reports will not be available for 6-8 weeks.

Both the trooper's and the deputy's names are being withheld pending investigation, and both were placed on administrative leave. Neither officer was injured in the altercation.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office is looking for other drivers who may have witnessed the altercation. Witnesses are encouraged to call the KCSO at (208) 446-1300.