Shooting suspect convicted Friday

SANDPOINT - A former Bonner County man was convicted Friday of aggravated assault for allegedly threatening to kill his former girlfriend and discharging a firearm during a domestic dispute earlier this year.

Jurors found Anthony Wayne Johnson guilty of the felony charge after a two-day trial. The jury deliberated for about an hour and a half.

Johnson, of Spokane, Wash., was accused of issuing the threat and firing off a round from a .243-caliber rifle on May 18 at his former home on AF Johnson Road.

'There were no injuries, although his estranged girlfriend was clutching their toddler when the shot rang out, according to court testimony.

The 33-year-old woman told jurors on the opening day of Johnson's trial that she didn't know where the gunshot came from "but it was very close."

Johnson, 40, took the stand in his own defense on Friday, telling jurors he never threatened the woman. He admitted firing the shot from inside the home, but insisted he was only target shooting, court records said.