The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was shot and killed Saturday after opening fire on police officers at the end of a 5-mile car chase through Coeur d'Alene, located about 30 miles east of Spokane, Wash.
Kootenai County sheriff's Maj. Ben Wolfinger said it's not clear why the suspect started shooting. Investigators were withholding the man's name until his nearest family members were notified of his death.
The suspect reportedly shot one man in the chest before taking off in his car, randomly shooting at bystanders as he fled. Wolfinger said the chase stopped when the suspect lost control of the car and exchanged gunfire with officers. He was shot and died at the scene.
Police identified the man who was shot in the chest as 29-year-old Frank James of Coeur d'Alene. James was taken to Kootenai Medical Center for emergency surgery immediately after the shooting; the sheriff's office said Sunday his condition was unknown.
The man who was shot in the chest was taken to an area hospital for surgery and his condition wasn't available Sunday afternoon.
"We're still trying to put all the pieces together," Wolfinger said. "We don't even know how many witnesses we may have."
Rick Knoke, who lives in an apartment complex at the intersection where the earlier shooting occurred, said he was sitting outside and saw the violent confrontation.
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