Post Falls man arrested for allegedly stabbing friend in chest

A Post Falls man was arrested Sunday night for allegedly stabbing his friend in the chest during an alcohol-fueled argument east of Coeur d’Alene, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

Austin D. Shultz, 22, was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on one count of aggravated battery.

Blake E. Minier, 20, of Coeur d’Alene, was flown to Kootenai Health where he was listed in critical but stable condition, the sheriff’s office said.

Minier called 911 and said Shultz stabbed him in the chest and left on foot. The sheriff’s office and Kootenai County EMS responded about 8 p.m. to the Windy Ridge area east of Fernan Saddle. Deputies found Shultz walking on Forest Service Road 612 and detained him.

Minier was found with his vehicle, where deputies administered first aid. Life Flight took him to the hospital.

The stabbing remains under investigation and other charges are possible, authorities said.