N. Idaho deputies cleared in shootout with Blanchard man

SANDPOINT – Three northern Idaho sheriff’s deputies involved in a shootout with a Blanchard man have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh in a statement earlier this week concluded that Bonner County sheriff’s deputies William Craffey, Michael Gagnon and Justin Penn used appropriate force.

Authorities said the deputies in January attempted to arrest Adam Deacon Foster when Foster opened fire.

Authorities said Gagnon and Penn were struck and seriously wounded by rounds Foster fired from a .357 magnum revolver, but both returned fire and wounded Foster. Craffey also fired.

Gagnon and Penn have since returned to duty.

Foster in September pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder. He’s being held on $2 million bail with a trial scheduled for March.