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Local man charged with attempted murder

KEITH KINNAIRD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 8 months AGO
by KEITH KINNAIRD
News Editor | October 2, 2019 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — An apparent act of vigilantism resulted in a suite of criminal charges against two Bonner County men.

Hunter Michael Donahoe, 20, is charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted kidnapping, reckless driving and battery in connection with the incident, Cody James Walker, also 20, faces charges of aggravated assault, attempted kidnapping, reckless driving and battery.

Idaho State Police were summoned to an unknown injury crash near the north end of Cocolalla Flats on U.S. Highway 95 on Sunday afternoon. Motorists, some of whom were armed with handguns, were reportedly fighting at the scene of the collisions, according to a trooper’s probable cause affidavit.

Walker told state police he posted a message to social media offering the sale of snowmobile riding equipment and received a reply from a British Columbia man who wanted to meet and try on the gear, according to the affidavit. Walker said the man asked him if he was willing to have pictures of taken of him in his underwear, prompting Walker to claim that he was only 17. The man allegedly offered extra money to meet.

Walker met the 33-year-old Canadian man at the Westmond Store. Surveillance video footage showed the Canadian walking back to his vehicle after the two exchanged words. Walker, the affidavit said, pursued the man and summoned three other males as they rushed him. Walker allegedly punched the man in the face after he was able to make it inside his vehicle. Donahoe is seen grabbing the man in an apparent attempt to keep him from leaving.

The man managed to break free and drive off, but was pursued onto southbound U.S. 95. The man told the trooper he tried outrunning his pursuers by speeding and make evasive maneuvers. He told police his Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck was struck twice by Donahoe’s Toyota Tundra pickup truck during the chase, the affidavit said.

While attempting to make a U-turn, the man said Donahoe crashed into the S-10, bring the pursuit to an end.

The man told state police he was held at gunpoint by Walker while Donahoe attacked him again and threatened to kill him.

Donahoe, also 20, and Walker were arrested.

In Walker’s possession was found a 9-millimeter pistol, while Donahoe was found in possession of a .22-caliber pistol with a round in the chamber, the affidavit said.

There is no record of the British Columbia man being charged with an offense.

Both men made initial appearances in Bonner County Magistrate Court via video link with the Bonner County Jail. Judge Lori Meulenberg set Donahoe’s bail at $100,000 and Walker’s bail was set at $25,000, court records show. Walker posted a surety bond to secure his release.

Defense counsel for Donahoe moved for a reduction in bail, but the request was denied. A follow-up request is slated for consideration when preliminary hearings case are held on Oct. 9.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.

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