Shooting suspect pleads guilty

SANDPOINT — A young Bonner County man accused of firing a shotgun blast at an occupied vehicle last year pleaded guilty Thursday through an agreement with the prosecution.

Larry Dean Flanigan Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery. In exchange for the plea, a second count of aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault were dismissed, court records show.

Flanigan, 19, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7 in 1st District Court.

He faces up to 15 years in prison, although Chief Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank is recommending a 180-day jail sentence with credit for time served. A suspended prison term of two to five years is also recommended.

The sentencing judge is not bound by the recommendations.

Flanigan was charged with the felony offenses after firing a 12-gauge shotgun at the carload of people near Clark Fork on Dec. 6, 2011.

Pellets from the blast struck two occupants of the vehicle and inflicted serious, but not life-threatening, injuries, according to court documents.

Three other people were in the vehicle, but were not hit by the gunfire.

The alleged victims in the case went to Flanigan’s residence, where at least one of them planned to fight the defendant. Flanigan, however, exited his trailer with the shotgun and opened fire.

The shooting resulted from ongoing bad blood between Flanigan and some of the occupants of the vehicle.

“I did fire the gun, and I want to take advantage of the plea agreement,” Flanigan said in his written plea of guilt.