Idaho Sniper Kills Two, Then Himself
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MOSCOW, Idaho — A sniper sprayed dozens of bullets on a courthouse in an attack that left one dead and two wounded, then hid in a nearby church for several hours before police stormed in yesterday and found his body and another man’s inside, police said.
The shooting began late Saturday, fatally wounding one officer and injuring another and a civilian, Moscow’s assistant police chief, David Duke, said. Chief Duke said the attack was apparently an ambush, with the gunman firing into the Latah County Courthouse to lure people into his line of fire.
Around 6 a.m., three SWAT teams entered the First Presbyterian Church and found the two bodies on the main floor but not in the same room, Chief Duke said. An automatic assault rifle, ammunition, and spent shells were found with one of the men, he said.
The shooter died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Chief Duke said. His body was found in the church sanctuary, and the body of another man was found in the church office. Authorities did not release either man’s name.
Police said the gunman started shooting from a parking lot across from the Latah County Courthouse shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday.
