Accidental Gunshot Reported After Police Respond to Incident at Idaho School

Law enforcement in Southern Idaho has reported an accidental gun discharge inside a police car following a response to a report of an armed male near a high school. The incident happened in Mountain Home on St. Patrick’s Day while the school was in session.

Schools in the area were placed on lockdown while authorities from three departments dealt with the armed man.

Gunshot Reported As Police Respond to Incident at a Southern Idaho School

The incident happened on March 17 in Mountain Home near Mountain Home High School, and while a time wasn’t given in the ISP report, it must have happened in the late morning or early afternoon, as the schools in the area were placed on lockdown.

The Idaho State Police responded to assist the Mountain Home Police Department after a report of an armed male near the high school. The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene. The report from the Idaho State Police states:

• The individual, identified as 63-year-old Ross Allen Lee, was taken into custody without incident.
• According to the Mountain Home Police Department, the suspect has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Animal Cruelty.

No officers, students, faculty, or residents in the area were reported as injured during the incident. No additional details were given regarding the charges of aggravated assault or how an animal ties into the arrest.

After the scene was cleared, it was reported that a gun had been accidentally discharged inside one of the Idaho State Police vehicles. No one was injured by the gunshot and an investigation is underway for both the accidental gunshot and the incident with the man at the school.

Bomb Threat in Shoshone School District Investigated in Southern Idaho

This morning, March 18th, police in Lincoln County responded to a potential bomb threat to the Shoshone School District. The school was evacuated and, following a search of the premises, no threat was found. The threat came in the form of a note found in a school bathroom which is being investigated.

Details were shared on school social media pages.