Kootenai County searching for man who shot at ISP
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who they say shot at an Idaho State Police Trooper Saturday morning.
The shooter is identified as 57-year-old Mitchell Lee Walck, also known as Mark Mackenzie.
Lt. Stu Miller with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department said deputies first made contact with the suspect when he ran a stop sign on Highway 41.
Miller said Walck, driving a stolen truck, then led police on chase through Athol, Spirit Lake and Rathdrum. At one point speeds reached up to 80 miles per hour. Miller said deputies called off the chase several times for safety, only for it to be picked up again when the truck was spotted.
The chase finally came to an end in Rathdrum when Walck ditched his truck on a dead end street and then ran into the woods.
“He spun on the trooper, fired round from a handgun. Trooper wasn’t hit thankfully,” Miller said.
The trooper stopped the pursuit and waited for backup to begin searching for the suspect.
“Well, our biggest concern is that he is going to hurt somebody and it’s matter of if it’s when,” Lt. Stu Miller said.
Miller said they had close to 50 officers from several agencies, including the FBI, help in the search.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office also used Air 1 to help search for Walck. By Saturday evening, there was still no sign of him.
“We need to get him and get him into custody. He has no regard for his life, our life and the public’s life. So we need to get him in custody so the community is a lot safer,” Miller said.
Detectives are now searching the stolen truck to figure out who he is and why he is running from police.
Walck is a between 5’8″-5’10”, medium build, last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt, light blue jeans and a blue ball cap. If you see this man or anything suspicious call 911.
