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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man jailed after another is shot


Mims
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Compiled from staff and wire reports The Spokesman-Review

Spokane Police arrested an 18-year-old man early Saturday morning in connection with a shooting that left one person hospitalized.

Michael C. Painter was booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree assault after he allegedly shot a 17-year-old boy in the torso and arm, Lt. Gil Moberly said in a press release.

While on patrol in the West Central neighborhood about 10:35 p.m. Friday, Spokane Police officers found the victim near the corner of North Cannon Street and West Mallon Avenue, just as a 911 call came in about a shooting in the area.

A police dog team tracked Painter to a home at 2119 W. Dean Ave., police said. After cordoning off the house and conducting a search, officers discovered the suspect hiding in the attic. Painter was also wanted on an outstanding warrant for second-degree burglary, police said.

The victim was transported to a hospital, where he had surgery Saturday and was listed in satisfactory condition, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

A witness told officers that Painter fired several shots at the boy outside a home at Dean Avenue and Chestnut Street. A dispute involving the victim’s ex-girlfriend may have led to the shooting, police said.

Reward offered for DUI, assault suspect

Secret Witness is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a man with a criminal history that includes assaults and burglary.

Tomico Shawnte Mims is wanted on charges of intimidating a witness, driving under the influence and domestic violence assault.

He has 12 criminal convictions as an adult, according to the Spokane Police Department, including unlawful imprisonment and disorderly conduct.

He is 5-foot-11, 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Mims is asked to call Secret Witness, 327-5111. Callers are asked to use a code name or number, and do not have to give their name to be eligible for the cash reward.

Smoke alarm saves life in Cheney home fire

A smoke detector likely saved the life of a Cheney woman Saturday morning as her rental home became engulfed in flames, the Cheney Fire Department reported.

Firefighters were called to a home at Rosebrook Inn apartments, 304 W. First St., around 5:40 a.m. The structure was unattached to the main part of Rosebrook and was formerly the home and office of the manager of the property when it was a motel, said Cheney Fire Marshal Rick Roig.

An Eastern Washington University student renting the home was awakened by the detector and escaped, Roig said. Her roommate was out of town.

The fire appeared to have started in the laundry room when items placed next to an electric wall heater ignited. Roig warned that older electric wall heaters often don’t have off switches, even if they have a knob to lower the heat, and can start up when not expected.

“Make sure there is nothing anywhere close to them,” Roig said.

The home likely is a total loss, Roig said. The Red Cross was called to assist the residents.

Sheriff investigating injuries to toddler

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department is investigating injuries to a 15-month-old toddler who reportedly fell with his mother Friday.

Around 8 p.m., sheriff’s deputies and emergency crews responded to 320 E. Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, No. 9. An ambulance transported the unconscious child to Kootenai Medical Center, and he was later taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he was in critical condition.

A sheriff’s spokesman declined to release the extent of the boy’s injuries.

The department did not say whether the child’s mother was injured or provide any details of the fall.

Prosecutor wants one trial in UI slaying

Moscow, Idaho A county prosecutor wants one trial for the three men charged in the shooting death of a University of Idaho football player.

Latah County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Robin Eckmann last week filed a motion seeking to join the trials of the three men charged in the Sept. 19 shooting death of Eric McMillan.

She said joining the cases would reduce redundancy, eliminate unnecessary expense for the state and reduce any burden on witnesses.

But a defense attorney on Friday also filed a motion to sever the case of one defendant, 25-year-old James Wells, from those of his brother, Matthew Raydon Wells II, 27, and their nephew, Thomas J. Riggins, 23.

Another motion was filed Friday for a change of venue for Matthew Wells.

Both Wellses are charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Riggins is charged with conspiracy and being a principal to the murder.

A younger Wells brother, 23-year-old Aaron, is also charged with accessory to murder.

Six additional defendants have been charged with perjury before a grand jury investigating the case.

McMillan, 19, was shot in the chest at his Moscow apartment. Matthew and James Wells were arrested hours after the shooting near Vantage, Wash., after leading authorities on a high-speed chase. Witnesses reported seeing the brothers near the apartment complex.

Gates Foundation withholds school funds

Seattle The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is withholding the last installment of a five-year $25.9 million grant until Seattle Public Schools explains what high schools will do with their share of the money.

District high schools still haven’t spent about $2 million of previous grant allocations.

The foundation wants more information about how the schools intend to spend those dollars, plus their share of the $2.9 million being held back, foundation spokeswoman Marie Groark said.

The grant requires schools to write and carry out improvement plans. Several high schools have fallen behind on that work.

“The high school work has been slower,” said Robin Pasquarella, president of the nonprofit Alliance for Education, which is overseeing the grant. “It’s been a very difficult place to change for lots of reasons.”

The foundation doesn’t want to send more money “when they have underspent their previous allocations,” Groark said, noting that the foundation does expect to release the funds eventually.