Idaho Seeks Fugitive After Chase, Shootout Authorities Say Armed Suspect Is A Danger To The Community

Police in two counties continued searching Monday for an armed fugitive suspected of making - and using - methamphetamine.

“It’s obvious he’s a danger to the community. He’s a danger to police,” said Kootenai County sheriff’s Lt. Dan Soumas.

Meth can make some users turn violent and paranoid.

Deputies said David Theodore Morgan Sr. led them on an hour-long chase over the dirt roads of Kootenai and Bonner counties Saturday night.

Morgan, 38, shot at Bonner County deputies with a high-powered rifle, authorities said. They also said he rammed one deputy’s car, causing it to burst into flames, before fleeing into the woods.

On Monday, detectives with the Kootenai County Drug Task Force said they’ve been interested in Morgan and his son, David Morgan Jr., 17. They believe the senior Morgan is involved in manufacturing and distributing the illegal drug methamphetamine.

“He’s very familiar to my troops,” Soumas said.

Morgan’s son also eluded capture Thursday afternoon after speeding by deputies on a motorcycle at 90 mph in a 50 mph zone, Soumas said. David Morgan is wanted on a felony grand theft charge.

The chase involving his father began around 8 p.m. Saturday, when detectives saw Morgan’s truck at a residence off Brunner Road. Morgan is wanted on misdemeanor charges of unlawful entry and battery.

Morgan crossed into Bonner County, where deputies there picked up the chase. At one point, Morgan is believed to have slammed on his brakes, put his truck in reverse and backed into a deputy’s 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. The resulting spray of oil and fuel caught fire, but the deputy escaped the car with minor bruises.

Bonner County deputies also say Morgan exchanged gunshots with them, and that he was using a high-powered rifle.

Morgan then eluded police thanks to dust kicked up from dirt roads as they pursued his 1997 Dodge 4x4 pickup. As it grew dark, deputies abandoned their search in the woods because of safety concerns.

Morgan abandoned his silver pickup near the Spirit Lake East subdivision. A resident in the area discovered the truck Sunday afternoon. The back window had been shot out and a syringe was found in the truck’s cab, authorities said.

Detectives said the Morgans have extensive family and friends living in Kootenai and Bonner counties.

They said they believe Morgan’s erratic behavior may indicate he was using methamphetamine, much like other armed manhunts officers have been involved in recently.

“It seems like that’s all we’re ever involved in anymore,” Soumas said. “The last thing we want to do is get into a gunbattle with this guy.”

Morgan now faces felony eluding charges in Kootenai County and up to two counts of attempted murder of a police officer in Bonner County, police said.

“Anything is possible with this gentleman,” Bonner County sheriff’s Capt. John Valdez said. “The whole world is looking for him.”