Drunk man shoots at home in Bonneville County, tries to bribe arresting deputies
A 19-year-old fired a handgun near a residential street in Bonneville County, Idaho, striking a home and vehicles. He later offered deputies $1,000 to avoid arrest.
Bullets strike Bonneville County home; suspect offered $1,000 bribe to deputies
Two intoxicated men were arrested in a Bonneville County neighbourhood late on Thursday, 13 November, after residents reported hearing gunshots and discovering bullet holes in their home, idahonews.com reports.
Bonneville County Sheriff's deputies responded just before 11 p.m. to the 200 block of N. Contor Ave. in Idaho Falls, where residents reported hearing shots fired. Deputies confirmed no injuries inside the residence but found several bullet casings in front of the home and noted damage to the house, a parked vehicle and a motorcycle.
While working the shooting scene, deputies also received a report of a burglary in progress at a nearby address on N. Adam Drive. A deputy located 19-year-old Stratton Daniel Bair attempting to enter a residence. He was detained and found in possession of a handgun and a vaping device containing THC. Deputies described Bair as "very intoxicated" and noted he gave conflicting accounts of why he was at the address, at one point claiming he lived there.
Bair initially denied having fired the weapon but later admitted he had been shooting it into the air, according to deputies. Investigators matched shell casings recovered at the scene with remaining rounds in the handgun found on Bair. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for a vehicle belonging to Bair found near the scene; the search yielded additional matching ammunition, a holster and drug paraphernalia. Deputies noted the holster model was designed to fit the specific handgun recovered from Bair.
When informed he was under arrest, Bair offered deputies $1,000 to release him. When asked directly whether he was attempting a bribe, he acknowledged that he was, authorities said. During transport to the Bonneville County Jail, Bair made several verbal threats, including statements that he would kill the deputies.
Bair was booked on felony charges of unlawful discharging of a firearm at a dwelling and attempted bribery. Additional misdemeanour charges included possession of a firearm while under the influence, attempted unlawful entry and possession of marijuana.
A second man, 21-year-old Jaiden M. Dominguez, was separately identified after residents reported an intoxicated man walking near the scene. Deputies described Dominguez as "very intoxicated and emotional." He was taken to the Bonneville County Jail and booked on a misdemeanour charge of pedestrian under the influence.
Investigators identified multiple points within the home and surrounding area where rounds fired from a handgun had passed through walls and living spaces occupied at the time. No injuries were reported. Deputies said they have not established a motive or any connection between the two suspects and the residents of the home that was struck, beyond apparent intoxication and erratic behaviour.
No further information was available.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)