Friday, January 23, 2026
14.0°F

Shoshone County Sheriff's Office shooting suspect identified

HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks, 5 days AGO
by HAILEY HILL
Staff Writer | December 27, 2025 3:35 PM

WALLACE — The man behind Friday's shooting at the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office has been identified.

Shoshone County Sheriff William Eddy confirmed Saturday that John Drake, 77, was the sole suspect in the shooting and was pronounced dead at the scene following a standoff with police.

The incident unfolded just after 2:30 p.m. Friday when Drake began firing outside the Sheriff’s Office, striking the nearby Ace Hardware building and wounding three people, authorities said.

According to Eddy, two civilian women who were sitting in a pickup truck outside the sheriff’s office were shot in the legs. Kellogg Police Department officer Damian Groves was reportedly struck in the ear.

All three victims suffered minor injuries and were treated at area hospitals.

Drake had entered the lobby of the sheriff’s office after the initial shooting and continued firing before moving deeper into the building and barricading himself, resulting in damage to the building and a standoff that lasted for longer than an hour.

Law enforcement officers eventually engaged the suspect inside the building, and Drake was shot and killed in what Eddy described as an officer-involved shooting.

There was no indication of a hostage situation at any point during the incident.

Eddy, who was sworn in as sheriff earlier this month, called the incident a “significant event” and thanked the responding agencies, which included the Idaho State Police, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, the Spokane’s Sheriff Office, Pinehurst Police, Kellogg Police, Osburn Police, Mineral County Sheriff Office, the FBI and Marshals and Silver Valley Fire.   

Authorities have confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public. 

The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and ISP continues to investigate the incident.

ARTICLES BY HAILEY HILL

Hayden chamber marks 25 years
January 23, 2026 1:09 a.m.

Hayden chamber marks 25 years

Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn named Business of the Year

When Andrea Fulks talks about growing the Hayden Chamber of Commerce’s membership, she makes a point to avoid certain words. “I never say you should ‘join,’” the chamber president and CEO said. “I say that you belong in this family.”

NIBCA celebrates leadership, growth
January 22, 2026 1:09 a.m.

NIBCA celebrates leadership, growth

NIBCA celebrates leadership, growth

The first time Jessica Cargile attended a North Idaho Building Contractors Association meeting, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. That feeling returned for only a moment before she was sworn in as NIBCA’s president for 2026.

Coeur d'Alene chamber grows to nearly 1,000 members as it continues to evolve
January 21, 2026 1:07 a.m.

Coeur d'Alene chamber grows to nearly 1,000 members as it continues to evolve

Coeur d'Alene chamber grows to nearly 1,000 members as it continues to evolve

A sepia-toned photograph of about 30 businessmen hangs in the office of Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s President and CEO, Linda Coppess. Though dressed in the fashion of decades past, the men gathered for a purpose that has endured: uplifting area businesses through the Chamber. The photo is a reminder of the Chamber’s 114 years of history, Coppess said in her address to nearly 200 attendees at Tuesday morning’s Breakfast Connect event.