Idaho police investigate shootings

Published 7:55 pm Monday, December 27, 2010

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Police in northern Idaho said two Washington state men were shot in Coeur d’Alene early Sunday morning, and a third man from Idaho who is thought to be the gunman has been taken into custody.

Brandon Burgess, 25, is in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen, and Bradley Phillips, 25, is expected to survive after being shot in the knee, The Spokesman-Review reported.

Burgess is “fighting for his life” at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Sgt. Christie Wood told the newspaper. Phillips was taken to the Kootenai Medical Center.

Police said bystanders wrestled a 25-year-old Coeur d’Alene man to the ground and held him until police arrived. He was booked into Kootenai County Jail on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police said after the suspect was arrested he was first taken to the Kootenai Medical Center with injuries sustained to his head while being detained by the bystanders.

Police said Burgess and Phillips argued with the alleged gunman at a bar, and encountered him a short time later after leaving and while walking with a group of people.

“Witnesses stated the suspect exchanged words with the victims and then pulled a handgun and fired several rounds at that group of people,” police said in a news release. “Witnesses quickly overpowered the suspect and pulled him to the ground.”

Police said both of the injured men were visiting relatives during the Christmas holiday.