Athol Hangar Shooting May Be Self-Defense, Authorities Say

An 86-year-old Athol man who shot a neighbor during a dispute may have fired in self-defense, sheriff’s officials said Saturday.

An analysis of evidence collected from a hangar at Hackney Airpark, the scene of Friday’s shooting, suggests Ronald Fleming was defending himself when he shot Roger Dunham in the chest, said sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Maskell. He declined to discuss details about the case.

Dunham, 49, underwent surgery Friday to remove a bullet fired from a small-caliber handgun. He remained hospitalized Saturday at Kootenai Medical Center, but was moved out of the intensive care unit. His condition was listed as fair, a nursing supervisor said.

Detectives will continue reviewing the case and forward the results of their investigation to the Kootenai County prosecutor’s office, Maskell said. Fleming has not been arrested.

Deputies said Fleming and Dunham were arguing over a rented airplane hangar when the shooting occurred.

The shooting comes amid an ongoing neighborhood dispute over the use of the privately-owned airpark. , DataTimes