SPD responds to shooting call

SANDPOINT — A resident of a retirement home is in custody after police say he fired a weapon at a staff member.

The resident, James Rafferty, was taken into custody after a brief standoff following the evacuation of Huckleberry Retirement, 1408 Ponderosa, according to a press release issued by the city.

Sandpoint Police Department responded to the facility after receiving a report that a shot had been fired at the Huckleberry Retirement, 1408 Ponderosa, at 6:52 p.m. Saturday evening. The victim, an employee of the facility told police that Rafferty had pulled a pistol from his waist, leveled it off at him and fired. No one was hit.

Others reported a second shot may have been fired as well.

The suspect returned to his room with the gun, a .22 caliber, 1911 hand gun.

Facility residents were evacuated and, after a brief standoff with the Emergency Response Team, comprised of officers from the Sandpoint Police Department and deputies with the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, according to the release, Rafferty surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.

Detectives are still on scene investigating and processing evidence.