Rambo sentencing date set
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 7 months AGO
Accused Fourth of July shooter Tyler Rambo testified in his trial Tuesday. Image via Zoom.
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | March 13, 2021 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Since her son, Tyler Rambo, was acquitted on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault this week, Nicole Ellis said some people have congratulated her.
But she isn’t sure how to feel — or what to expect now.
“I’m just tired of seeing my son have to fight for his life over and over and over again,” Ellis told the Hagadone News Network on Friday. “He has been through hell and back. How much more is he supposed to suffer?”
After hours of deliberation, a jury handed down a split verdict Thursday in 20-year-old Rambo’s case for two shootings that occurred July 4, 2019.
Though Rambo was found not guilty on two charges, he was convicted of three counts of aggravated assault of a peace officer. The jury also added an assault with a deadly weapon enhancement.
Rambo’s sentencing is scheduled for May 28 before Judge Cynthia Meyer, who ordered a pre-sentence report be completed before that date.
Rambo was accused of second-degree attempted murder for shooting at a man during an altercation at City Park during the July 4 celebration.
A group of people ganged up on him during the fight, he said, including Spokane resident Jawaun Anderson, who prosecutors said he tried to shoot in the head. Rambo said he fired a shot into the air to stop the attack.
Prosecutors said Rambo also pointed a gun at Spokane resident Jazmin Smith, who was dating Anderson at the time.
Six witnesses testified that they saw multiple people kicking and punching Rambo while he was on the ground. Several testified that they saw the gun pointed in the air when it went off.
Rambo was charged with second-degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting at Anderson and with aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a gun at Smith.
“How do you go from defending yourself to almost being killed by those who are supposed to protect?” Ellis said.
Coeur d’Alene police said Rambo, who was 18 years old at the time, ran from them after the initial shooting and refused to drop his gun or get on the ground.
After police shocked Rambo with a Taser while his hands were in the air, the gun in his hand went off. Police shot him 14 times in response.
Rambo lost both legs as a result of the shooting.
“Seeing (police) should have been a relief, but instead they tried to serve him a death sentence,” Ellis said. “I’m devastated over all this.”
Judge Meyer denied a request Thursday night to release Rambo on his own recognizance or reduce his bond, which is set at $300,000.
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