Police release details of sequence of events for recent Sandpoint shooting

July 17, 2014

Bonner County Sheriff's Office has released information regarding the sequence of events occurring during the officer-involved shooting near the Sandpoint hospital on July 8. According to Detective Sergeant Gary Johnston, on the evening of July 8, around 9:00 p.m., a man entered the lobby of the Emergency Department of Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint. This man stated his wife was outside in their vehicle, armed with a knife, acting erratically and aggressively. The man stated his wife was threatening to attack anyone who tried to approach her, and he did not now what to do or where to take her for help. After a few minutes, he left the Emergency Department lobby. The hospital staff initiated a lockdown of the hospital, and at 9:12 p.m. hospital staff contacted Bonner County dispatch. The call was dispatched a minute later, and at 9:15 p.m. three Sandpoint police officers responded in two marked patrol units. The officers located the vehicle, a white Chevy Astro Van, parked on 3rd Street in front of the hospitl Emergency Department. According to the police report, Jeanette Riley immediately exited the van, armed with a knife, and engaged the officers. The police report states she was non-compliant, refused to drop the knife, and refused to stop approaching the officers. Bonner County dispatch received a report at 9:16 p.m. that shots had been fired. "Officers secured the knife and immediately began life-saving measures," said Detective Sergeant Johnston. "Nearby EMS and medical staff were summoned. Riley was rushed into the [Emergency Department] where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead." According the Sheriff's office, two of the three responding Sandpoint Police officers fired their weapons, firing a total of five shots. Riley was shot in very close proximity of the officers, although her exact distance from the officers is not yet being released. The Bonner County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency investigating this incident involving Sandpoint City police officers. The Sheriff's Office is askiing that anyone who feels they may have additional information regarding this case to contact Detective Sergeant Johnson at the Sheriff's Office.