20-year-old suspected in string of shootings

Post Falls police arrested a 20-year-old Rathdrum man Tuesday night in connection with a recent series of drive-by shootings.

Nicholas D. Leggett was taken into custody at his residence following an anonymous tip to police. Detectives confiscated the scoped, small-caliber rifle they think Leggett used to shoot at occupied houses, businesses and cars on the evening of Oct. 2. No one was injured in the shooting spree.

Lt. Scot Haug said police are still looking for the driver but believe they are close to making an arrest.

“We don’t think it was gang- or drug-related,” Haug said. “It’s random drive-by shooting at houses.”

Leggett told police he moved to the area about a year ago from California. He has no criminal history in North Idaho, but told police he was convicted in California for assaulting a law enforcement officer. Haug said investigators are still trying to confirm his arrest record in other states.

Leggett blamed his actions on his drug usage, but Haug won’t disclose whether Leggett confessed.

“The evidence we have, including interviews of witnesses, lead us to believe he is responsible for this,” Haug said.

The North Idaho Regional Violent Crimes Task Force assisted Post Falls police detectives with the arrest.

Police originally thought six shots had hit houses, businesses and cars, but at least five more bullet holes were discovered a week ago, including in a stop sign. Police were able to recover a slug that was sent to the state crime lab along with other recovered evidence.

The shootings are believed to have taken place between 8 and 9 p.m. between Idaho Street and state Highway 41, and Seltice Way and Mullan Avenue. Additional damage was found along Greensferry Road between Wyoming and 16th avenues.

Anyone with information on the drive-by shootings is asked to call the Post Falls Police Department at (208) 773-3517. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the department’s Web site at www.postfallspolice.com/Tip.htm.