Unlawful shooting claims man's life
Deputy Coroner Wally Mitchell, right, prepares to remove the body of a 41-year-old shooting victim from a recreational vehicle as Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall, center, looks on. (Photo by TERRI IVIE/HNN)
PRIEST RIVER — A Bonner County woman was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter following a shooting early Wednesday morning north of town.
Sheriff’s officials identified the alleged shooter as Lorraine Kathryn Kenitzki, 45. Kenitzki does not have a prior criminal record in Idaho, according to the state’s court data repository.
The name of the 41-year-old man who was slain was not released pending notification of his family, Det. Lt. Doug Harris said. The man’s autopsy is planned for today.
Bonner Dispatch received a report of shooting at 4558 Peninsula Road. shortly after 2:30 a.m. Deputies arrived and found the man inside a recreational vehicle with a gunshot wound to his upper chest, sheriff’s officials said.
Medical personnel attempted to revive the alleged victim, but were unable to and he was pronounced dead at about 3 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office. The motor home was parked in front of the Green Owl Tavern.
A 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol authorities believe was used in the shooting was recovered.
“It looks like there was a struggle over the weapon and it went off,” said Harris, who declined to elaborate on the nature of the struggle until further investigation is complete.
Kenitzki did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, although the results of a blood test were pending, Harris said. A toxicological exam will be done on the alleged victim, but the results won’t be available for several weeks.
Involuntary manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another without malice. Elements of the charge include acting with a lack of due caution and reckless or negligent conduct.
It’s the first shooting death in Bonner County since November 2008.