HAUSER — Why, asked a resident at the Hauser Lake town hall meeting Monday night, wasn’t Adam J. Bennett locked up before the night of Feb. 28?

As far as Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris was concerned, that's where he belonged.

“Should he have been in jail?” Norris said to about 100 people at the Hauser Lake Fire Department. “Yes, he should have been.”

He went on to ask, “Should we have the death penalty?”

Norris answered his own question: “Yes,” to which the crowd applauded.

Norris and several staff members attended the hourlong meeting, which the sheriff called to review what happened Feb. 28, discuss KCSO response, see what can be learned and what were the public’s concerns.

One man said homeowners need firearms and should be ready to use them.

Norris warned it wasn’t an isolated incident. Recently, KCSO has had running-gun battles, dealt with barricaded suspects and investigated murder-suicide situations.

“It appears that growth, crime, traffic, overcrowding in our schools, has caught up to Kootenai County,” he said.

He said the situation is much the same across the country.

"We can't allow this type of lack of law and order to occur in civilized society," Norris said.

KCSO Lt. Mark Ellis recapped what reportedly happened at the home in the area of Hauser Lake and Highway 53.

Bennett, 44, is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of a firearm and grand theft.

Dennis Rogers, 77, reportedly went to lock up his horses after dinner and discovered his barn was on fire. He told his wife to call 911, armed himself with a gun and went outside to investigate, according to court documents.

Bennett allegedly overpowered Rogers, took the gun and shot him.

Bennett also allegedly shot another person, who has since recovered.

Bennet was later arrested. His bail has been set at $1 million.

Records obtained by The Press indicate that a police officer for BNSF Railway responded around 3:50 pm. on Feb. 28 to a report of a trespasser walking alongside a freight train in Hauser.

Police detained Bennett in handcuffs, then contacted dispatch at the KCSO to confirm whether Bennett had any active warrants.

Bennett was wanted on two warrants out of Washington County, Idaho, according to court documents.

The BNSF Railway officer ultimately cited and released Bennett for the misdemeanor crime of stealing a ride on a train.

Hours later, the fire and shooting occurred.

Many people wanted more specifics about what happened, but Norris said he could not provide that information as the case is still active.

Joanne Rogers, Dennis Rogers' widow, attended the meeting.

One resident questioned why Bennett was not arrested on the warrants.

Norris said they will be “looking at every component of that.”

One man said he lived within a few hundred yards of the Rogers’ home.

“I’m armed. I’d've shot him,” he said, then questioning how many felons are coming into Kootenai County from Spokane.

“If you’re not armed, you’re wrong,” he said.

Norris said he recommended people take firearms training and related classes and be able to defend themselves with a firearm in their home.

When asked what people could do to help his efforts to combat crime, Norris said a volunteer force is “on his radar.”

He encouraged residents to watch for “something out of the ordinary.

“If you see something that is unusual, don’t hesitate to give us a call,” he said.

One woman said she has heard there are plans for light rail connecting Spokane to Coeur d’Alene, which she feared would bring more criminals into the area.

Norris agreed it could be a problem.

“I’m not a fan of us associating anything with Spokane,” he said.

One Hauser Lake woman said a stranger one time came to her door and refused to leave until she retrieved a shotgun.

She asked if he forced his way into her home, “would I have the right to shoot him?”

Norris said if she feared for her life, then yes.

“Use both barrels,” added another audience member.