Man accused of shooting at deputies

A suicidal man with a handgun fired shots at Bonner County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday afternoon, apparently hoping they would kill him, authorities said. Officers got the man to surrender before anybody was hurt.

About 3:40 p.m., two deputies responded to a suicide threat during which the man pointed a gun at the 911 caller. As one deputy helped the female caller, the gunman shot in his direction, Undersheriff Charlie Dennis said. Phillip Wesley Powers, of Clark Fork, ran into the woods behind 2077 E. Spring Creek Rd., still firing at the deputies.

“It appeared that he was wanting the deputies to come into the woods and find him,” Dennis said.

The deputies negotiated with Powers until he came out of the woods, holding the gun to his head. Deputies convinced Powers to throw down the gun and lie on the ground, then arrested him, Dennis said. The deputies fired no shots, Dennis said.

Powers, 29, was taken to Bonner General Hospital for a previous injury and for a mental evaluation, Dennis said.