Lapwai, Idaho shooting leaves woman deceased and man critically injured after property confrontation Friday evening

LAPWAI, Idaho — Authorities in Nez Perce County are investigating a tragic shooting that left one woman deceased and a man hospitalized after an incident unfolded Friday evening in a rural area of Lapwai. According to the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 5:24 p.m. following a report that two individuals had been seen on private property and possibly attempted to enter a shed.

While deputies were responding to the scene in the 1100 block of Thunder Hill Road, dispatchers received an update from the caller indicating that her fiancé had opened fire on the two individuals. Law enforcement rushed to the location, and a Nez Perce Tribal Police officer arrived first, taking the suspected shooter into custody without resistance. Deputies and emergency medical personnel soon followed, discovering both victims suffering from serious gunshot wounds to their upper bodies.

Medical teams pronounced the female victim deceased at the scene, while the male victim was stabilized and transported by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston for further treatment. His current condition has not yet been publicly released. Officials confirmed that neither of the victims was armed at the time of the confrontation, raising questions about the use of force during the encounter.

Investigators explained that the incident began when the homeowner believed the pair had entered his shed unlawfully. After the individuals reportedly left the property, he allegedly followed them roughly a quarter of a mile from his residence, where he attempted to hold them at gunpoint. What began as a standoff quickly escalated into violence during a verbal altercation.

Authorities reported that, during the confrontation, the female victim pointed her finger and stepped toward the armed man, at which point multiple shots were fired. Both individuals were struck, and the situation immediately turned into a crime scene. Investigators are working to reconstruct the timeline and determine whether the suspect’s actions were justified or an excessive response.

The suspect was transported to the Nez Perce County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked on charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Court proceedings are expected to follow in the coming days as investigators continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and await further medical updates regarding the surviving victim.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that the identities of the victims are not being released until family members have been properly notified. The Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the devastating impact this incident has had on the community and stressed the importance of allowing the investigative process to move forward.

The case has drawn the attention of both the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office and the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department, who are working jointly to ensure all facts are collected. Detectives are examining physical evidence from the scene, statements from nearby residents, and details from the initial emergency call that reported the individuals’ presence on the property.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information that may assist the investigation to come forward. Lt. Jason Leavitt and Detective Wendy King of the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office are leading the case and can be reached at 208-799-3130. Investigators believe witness accounts may be crucial in understanding how the confrontation escalated and whether additional factors contributed to the tragic outcome.

As the community awaits updates on the condition of the surviving victim, residents are expressing shock and sadness over the violence. What began as a property dispute has now left one person deceased, another critically injured, and a man facing serious criminal charges. The case remains active, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.