Suspect In I-90 Shootout Fired First

Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, center said the Arizona man injured during a gun battle with North Idaho police on Interstate 90 last month fired first with one of the two semi-automatic weapons in his possession. Marcus A. Rael of Glendale is being held at the Kootenai County jail on $1 million bond. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

An Arizona man injured during a gun battle with North Idaho police on Interstate 90 last month fired first with one of the two semi-automatic weapons in his possession, Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said Wednesday. Marcus A. Rael of Glendale, Arizona, is being held at the Kootenai County jail on $1 million bond. Police began pursuing Rael in the early morning hours of June 22 when he fled police’s attempt to pull him over in Coeur d’Alene on suspicion of driving under the influence. Police pursued him west on I-90. When Rael saw a police spike strip near the Spokane Street exit in Post Falls, he began to pull off at the exit and simultaneously began firing on police, Wheeler said. An FN 5.7 carbine rifle with a 50-round magazine and an AK-47 with a high-capacity drum magazine were later found in Rael’s possession, Wheeler said/ Scott Maben , SR. More here.

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