Slain Robbery Suspect Was From Boise Bail Set At $750,000 For Second Suspect

A bank robbery suspect who was shot to death by two state police troopers after a chase through north-central Idaho has been identified as 49-year-old Kenneth L. Hamilton of Boise, authorities say.

Bail was set at $750,000 for robbery suspect Christopher Shawn Braden, 23, of Edwardsburg, Mich., when he appeared in court Friday to be charged with holding up First Federal Savings and Loan in Lewiston on Thursday afternoon. A preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 10.

“Is there any way that can be reduced?” he asked Magistrate William Stellmon. He remained in the Nez Perce County Jail Friday night.

He has been charged in Lewiston with armed robbery and the use of a firearm during a felony. Braden also is charged in Idaho County with obstructing an officer and grand theft for possession of stolen property.

Braden was arrested in the tiny Idaho County town of Ferdinand following a 47-mile chase from Lewiston. Hamilton died in a shoot-out with Idaho State Police troopers on Main Strett.

Braden attempted to flee the scene, but was found moments later hiding in a shed, police said. A trail of money helped lead officers to his location in a shed.

According to a Lewiston police report, Braden had $6,354 in his jacket when he was caught. Another $3,155 was found on the path leading to the shed, and $2,108 was discovered in a backpack.

State Police District Commander Capt. Mike Fosbury said Braden was a passenger; he got out of the car and started to run. The driver was ordered to exit the vehicle.

“The driver engaged the officers and began shooting,” he said. “Two troopers returned fire after the suspect began firing at them.”

Fosbury declined to release the troopers’ names. They have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.”Some said it’s too bad the man had to be shot (but) they chose the location and they dictated the circumstances,” he said of the suspects.

It is the first time a state trooper in the department’s District 2 has been involved in a fatal shooting, Fosbury said.