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KCSO: Man died from self-inflicted gunshot

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
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. | January 11, 2022 1:09 AM

HAYDEN — A man reportedly died due to a self-inflicted gunshot during an altercation with police on Sunday, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

KCSO identified the man as 23-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident Garret M. Stevenson.

Stevenson was reportedly wanted for a domestic dispute involving a weapon that occurred Saturday night in Coeur d’Alene.

He was also reportedly wanted on two felony warrants.

Around 1 p.m. Sunday, Stevenson was located inside a vehicle parked at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints parking lot on Honeysuckle Avenue in Hayden.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including members of KCSO and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team, as well as the CDAPD Criminal Apprehension Team.

While plain-clothed officers locked down the church, Stevenson allegedly exited the vehicle with a weapon and ran into a nearby field.

KCSO said in an initial news release that “shots were fired by both the suspect and law enforcement” while police attempted to apprehend Stevenson, but did not indicate who fired first.

After the shooting, Stevenson was transported to Kootenai Health, where he was later pronounced dead.

An autopsy reportedly determined that Stevenson died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said Stevenson sustained no other injuries.

No law enforcement officers were injured.

KCSO said an individual who was in the vehicle with Stevenson also fled the scene on foot. As of Sunday, the individual had not been contacted by law enforcement.

An investigation is ongoing.

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