Assault Suspect Gets Permit To Build Dock

A man accused of shooting at a neighbor over beach property on Hayden Lake has gotten a permit to build a boat dock there.

Brad St. John, 38, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault earlier this month after residents of the Gem Shores neighborhood accused him of shooting at one of them and threatening another couple with a long stick.

St. John said he was only shooting at a tree for target practice.

Some neighbors have opposed St. John’s application to build a dock on his beach. In turn, he has objected to their use of his property.

The previous owners deeded an easement to the entire neighborhood for access to the lake.

But the easement won’t prevent St. John from building a boat dock, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.

On Wednesday, the agency approved St. John’s application for a boat dock, despite the highly publicized shooting incident.

“I can’t deny his request for the simple fact that he was belligerent and went target shooting in a tree to intimidate people,” said Carl Washburn, the agency’s navigable water specialist who made the decision on the dock.

, DataTimes