Please remember to pray for them as well as for the Jordan family, the unidentified civilian who was shot, and the murder victim inside the Presbyterian Church.
And pray for the sniper’s family as well (it is presumed that he shot himself to death inside the church). His family will be under a lot of guilt, condemnation, and media harassment.
This will likely be the last news update until Monday at 11:00 am.
Moscow Police Department Officer Lee Newbill was shot and killed and Latah County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brannon Jordan and a civilian were wounded during a shooting that began Saturday night and ended Sunday morning.
Moscow Assistant Police Chief David Duke said the suspected shooter, who has not been identified, and another man were found dead at about 6 a.m. Sunday inside the First Presbyterian Church in Moscow.
Newbill, who joined the department in March 2001, is the first Moscow Police Department officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Sgt. Brannon Jordan of the sheriff’s office suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Gritman Medical Center in Moscow, where he is listed in serious condition. The civilian, who has not been identified, is in stable condition, Duke said.
The incident began around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, when the attacker opened fire on the dispatch center of the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, located in the Latah County Courthouse. The initial shots were fired from the courthouse’s east parking lot.
Two officers inside the building moved the three dispatchers into the jail — located below the sheriff’s office — for cover.
Duke said Newbill and his partner, officer Bill Shields, responded to the initial call. Newbill was shot at 11:35 p.m. at the intersection of Fifth Street and Adams Street.
Duke said the civilian who was wounded heard the gunfire and exited his residence to provide assistance before being shot at 11:47 p.m.
Jordan arrived at the incident as a member of the “quick response team,” Duke said. He attempted to take cover behind a tree but was shot at 12:09 a.m.
A perimeter was established at A Street on the north, Seventh Street on the south, Washington Street on the west and Howard Street on the east. Police notified residents within that perimeter to take shelter in their homes.
Duke said the attack began on the northeast corner of the courthouse. The shooter moved toward the north before entering the church. Three tactical teams gathered outside the church. Idaho State Police officers formed the lead team, Lewiston Police Department personnel formed the second team and Whitman County Sheriff’s Office and WSU’s Police Department formed the third team.
Law enforcement officers did not return fire throughout the night. Duke said the agencies attempted to negotiate prior to entry of the church. The teams entered the church at 5:45 a.m. after a diversion was created at the north end of the building.
Officers found two men dead on the first floor of the three-story building. One was found dead in a church office located near the center of the building. Another body — believed to be the attacker — was found in the sanctuary with a weapon nearby and a gunshot wound to the head. The sanctuary is the open congressional area located in the south end of the building.
Duke said the shooter appeared to be in his 20s or 30s. He declined to provide further details.
Earlier Sunday morning, Duke said as many as 70 gunshots were fired during the attack.
The last shot was reported at about 1 a.m. Duke described the weapon as an automatic-type rifle, in the style of a SKS model. Police found four empty ammunition magazines in the parking lot.
Duke said there had been no recent threats against the sheriff’s office.
“All avenues are open at this time to determine motive,” he said.
Moscow Police Chief Dan Weaver said it is a “truly sad day for the community.”
“These kinds of things aren’t supposed to happen in Moscow,” he said.
Newbill leaves behind a wife and three grown children, including two daughters and a son. Duke said his loss will be greatly felt throughout the city and region.
“Anytime you lose a family member, it’s hard,” he said.
Duke described Newbill as an open, friendly person. Anytime someone needed help, “he’d jump right into it,” Duke said.
Multiple agencies responded to the attack, including the Pullman Police Department, Washington State University Police Department, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office.
Idaho State Police began leading the investigation at 7:30 a.m. Duke said the ISP will continue the investigation, which may last anywhere from a few days to several months. Those with any information related to this case are requested to call (208) 882-2677.
Sixth Street remains closed while officers continue the investigation.
“We don’t believe there are any other active shooters out there at this time,” said Duke, who described the attack as an "ambush" because its direct intent was to cause harm.
* A second press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday. More information will be released at that time.