Details emerge in battery of trustee

COEUR d’ALENE — The former North Idaho College employee who allegedly dumped a bucket of soapy water on Trustee Todd Banducci told police he blamed Banducci for the loss of his job.

Zachary P. Shallbetter, 39, of Spokane, was arrested Tuesday and cited with battery and malicious injury to property, both misdemeanors.

Shallbetter had a one-year special appointment as an assistant professor teaching web and graphic design, according to a statement released by NIC. His contract ended May 12.

He told police he had completed his exit interview about a half-hour before he went to Banducci’s office, according to court records.

Shallbetter said he had known Banducci for a long time and believed that policies enacted by Banducci were the reason he was not hired back at NIC. He added that Banducci had cost multiple people their jobs and “is ruining many lives,” police said.

Shallbetter reportedly arrived at Banducci’s workplace Tuesday morning, asked if the trustee was present, then grabbed a bucket of soapy water that was being used for cleaning windows.

He went into Banducci’s office and threw the water over Banducci, soaking him and damaging his office equipment.

Banducci told police he was “in fear and felt threatened,” so he grabbed Shallbetter by the arms and held him on the ground.

A witness said Shallbetter turned to leave after throwing the water, and Banducci allegedly followed and tackled him. Police observed red marks on Shallbetter’s neck and Banducci’s forearms.

The same witness said he pulled the two men apart, got on top of Shallbetter, put his hands around Shallbetter’s neck and choked him.

Shallbetter eventually calmed down and agreed to wait in a separate room for police to arrive.

Police said Shallbetter did not indicate wishing bodily harm on Banducci and said something to the effect of, “I hope the water is the worst he gets.”

Banducci performed a citizen’s arrest at the scene.

In Idaho, police cannot make an arrest for a misdemeanor offense unless officers witnessed the alleged crime or obtain an arrest warrant. Private citizens may arrest someone for a misdemeanor if they witnessed the alleged crime.

Shallbetter was booked into jail and posted $600 bail, the statutory amount for two misdemeanors.

NIC President Nick Swayne addressed the incident Wednesday night during a special meeting of the board of trustees.

“Violence and intimidation are simply not OK,” Swayne said. “North Idaho College has no tolerance for violence. This is not acceptable behavior.”

Swayne said Shallbetter’s departure from NIC had nothing to do with Banducci or anyone else at NIC.

“I think we can all agree that even intimidation in one’s workplace is unacceptable,” said board chair Greg McKenzie.