New details emerge in CF shooting

CLARK FORK — Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies have pinpointed the time they believe George Gerald Andres was killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress at his home north of Clark Fork.

BCSO officials said an investigation revealed that Andres, 73, returned home from a shopping trip about 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, when he interrupted a burglary in progress. He was confronted by one or more people in his front yard and the confrontation turned deadly and Andres was shot multiple times. Multiple items were taken by his killers during the commission of the crime.

Physical evidence was collected both inside and outside of the home, BCSO officials said in the press release. Ballistic evidence is being turned over to the Idaho State Police lab for processing. DNA evidence obtained, including touch DNA swabs, will be sent to the Washington State Crime Lab. Touch DNA refers to the collection of microscopic skin cells left behind when a person comes into contact with clothing, weapons of other objects.

Andres’ body was discovered in his front yard in the 1200 block of Mountain View Road near Clark Fork approximately 6:12 p.m. on Wednesday. BCSO detectives immediately responded to the scene and began investigating along with the assistance of ISP detectives and Idaho Department of Fish & Game agents.

Mountain View Road is located in foothills of the Cabinet Mountains’ Lightning Creek drainage, about 3 miles northeast of Clark.

Sheriff’s officials said they had no suspect or vehicle descriptions at this time.

Andres is the second person this year to be found dead in the Cabinet Mountain foothills of eastern Bonner County, although authorities say there is currently no evidence to support a connection between the two cases.

“We are, however, keeping an open mind as the investigation unfolds to explore anything that would connect the two,” BCSO Undersheriff Ror Lakewold said.

“But certainly we are in the very early stages in this investigation and have found no connections. If we learn anything to the contrary, we will announce it and investigate it vigorously.”

Shirley Ann Ramey, 78, was found shot to death in her home in the Trestle Creek drainage on April 5. Her killing remains under investigation.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.