Man Files Lawsuit In 1995 Shooting Case Jeffrey Strouse Faces Second Trip To Court For Shotgun Blast

A man shot in the lower back after making child-molestation allegations against his attacker two years ago has filed a lawsuit against the Coeur d’Alene man convicted of pulling the trigger.

Michael Gunderson, 35, is seeking unspecified damages for pain and suffering, according to a lawsuit filed last week in 1st District Court. Gunderson also is asking for punitive damages and reimbursement of $8,020 in medical bills, saying that Jeffrey R. Strouse’s “negligent acts” caused the Sept. 9, 1995, shooting.

Gunderson, who now works as a tree trimmer, was working out of state Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. Gunderson’s attorney, Joseph Mein, also could not be reached.

Strouse was surprised to learn Tuesday from a reporter that Gunderson had filed a lawsuit against him, but said he plans to fight it.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Strouse said.

Strouse, 33, is awaiting sentencing on an aggravated battery conviction for shooting Gunderson, who had accused Strouse of molesting a child. Strouse has filed a motion for a new trial.

Sheriff’s detectives said Gunderson was shot while visiting a friend who lived on Strouse’s property in an area off Wolf Lodge Creek Road. Strouse hunted down Gunderson, pointing a sawed-off shotgun at his head while he hid under a pickup truck, according to sheriff’s reports.

Strouse shot Gunderson in the buttocks when he crawled out from under the truck. He said he did not mean to shoot Gunderson.

“It was an accident,” Strouse said. “Why else would I help him to the hospital?”

Gunderson had to be rushed into surgery after the pellets lodged in his lower abdomen.

Strouse has a history of weapons and drug charges. He was scheduled to begin serving a five-day jail sentence for assault a few days after shooting Gunderson.

, DataTimes