Post Falls police shooting: what happened on Foxglove Lane, and what comes next
Officers say a suicidal man threatening his family fired at them first. Three officers fired back. Here's what's known a week later and how the investigation works.
Early on Sunday, Nov. 1, Post Falls police shot and killed a man who investigators say fired at officers first. A week later, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office is still investigating, and officials are releasing little else.
What happened
At about 6:30 a.m., Post Falls police got a report of a suicidal person who was also threatening to hurt family members at a home in the 1900 block of North Foxglove Lane.
Four officers went to the house. According to the Sheriff's Office, as they approached, the man fired multiple rounds at them. Three officers fired back and hit him.
Officers and medical crews tried to save him, including CPR. He died of his injuries. Reports differ on whether he died at the scene or at Kootenai Health.
The Sheriff's Office identified him as Timothy J. Amundson, 46. The officers' names have not been released.
What neighbors saw
Neighbors told reporters they woke up to bangs they first took for fireworks. The street stayed blocked for hours. Shell casings were left in driveways, and several cars had bullet holes. One neighbor's windshield and car window were shot out.
Where it stands
Post Falls police are not investigating their own officers. The Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation and says no more information is being released for now.
That follows North Idaho's process for police shootings, called the Critical Incident Task Force. Officials described the steps after a 2023 Spirit Lake case. The officers go on administrative leave. Investigators interview witnesses and review video and evidence. Then the findings go to the Kootenai County Prosecutor, who decides whether the use of force was legal. The officers' own department does a separate review of policy.
In the Spirit Lake case, that process took about three months. Sheriff Bob Norris said then that these investigations can take months.
What happens next
The Sheriff's Office will finish its investigation and send it to the prosecutor. In past cases, the prosecutor announced the decision in a public letter. We'll report it when it comes.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 any time to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Sources
- Coeur d'Alene Press: KCSO identifies man who died in shooting with Post Falls police
- Kootenai County Sheriff media releases
- Big Country News: Sheriff's release, Post Falls officer-involved shooting
- Yahoo/Coeur d'Alene Press: Foxglove Lane shaken after shootout
- KHQ: Man fatally shot by Post Falls police allegedly fired at officers
- KXLY: Three Post Falls officers fired shots
- Spokesman-Review: Post Falls police kill suicidal 46-year-old
- Kootenai Journal: How the critical incident process works (2023)
- Spokesman-Review: Officials describe police-shooting protocol (2023)
- Coeur d'Alene Press: Prosecutor deems Spirit Lake shooting justified (2024)
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline