By Harshit
WALLACE, IDAHO, DECEMBER 29 — 8 AM EDT
Gunfire Shatters Calm in Historic Idaho Town
A gunman armed with multiple firearms opened fire inside the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office in Wallace, Idaho, on Friday afternoon, injuring three people before being killed during a standoff with law enforcement, officials said.
The shooting unfolded in a town better known for ski seasons, mining history, and its slow-paced mountain charm — making the violence all the more jarring for residents of the tight-knit community of fewer than 900 people.
Shooter Identified as Elderly Local Man
Authorities identified the suspect as John Drake, believed to be approximately 77 years old, according to Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office Captain Seth Green. Drake was pronounced dead at the scene following an officer-involved shooting.
Officials said no motive has been determined.
Attack Began Outside, Continued Inside Station
According to Sheriff William Eddy, the suspect initially fired at a pickup truck parked outside the sheriff’s office on Bank Street before entering the building’s lobby.
“He then fired toward the dispatch center,” Eddy said during a news conference.
Two women seated in the pickup truck were struck in the leg. A third injury initially believed to involve a deputy was later clarified to have been caused by flying glass, not a bullet.
The incident prompted an immediate and large-scale police response at approximately 2:40 p.m. local time.
Massive Law Enforcement Response and Standoff
Multiple agencies responded, including SWAT teams, as authorities initially feared the suspect may have accessed the jail portion of the building — a concern that escalated the response.
“This is a fairly significant event when you have someone enter a sheriff’s office lobby and begin firing,” said Robert Norris, sheriff of neighboring Kootenai County.
Officials later confirmed that the suspect remained confined to the lobby area and no inmates or jail staff were harmed.
The standoff ended around 4:15 p.m. when Drake was killed. The Idaho State Police will investigate the officer-involved shooting, while the criminal investigation will be handled by Kootenai County authorities and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.
Bullets Strike Nearby Businesses
Gunfire rippled beyond the sheriff’s office. Directly across the street, five bullets struck a hardware store, two of them piercing the front counter, according to a statement posted by the business on Facebook.
“All of our employees are safe and home,” the post read, thanking law enforcement for their swift response.
Residents Recall Chaos and Fear
Julie Swindell-Ward, a part-time Wallace resident, was shopping nearby when the shooting began. After hearing warnings of an armed individual, she rushed to her car and heard gunshots moments later.
From her vehicle, she livestreamed police surrounding the building as officers ordered the suspect to surrender. Seconds later, additional shots rang out.
Just one block away, retired sheriff’s office dispatcher James Shields was working inside his jewelry store when he heard multiple gunshots.
“I worried about my friends there,” Shields said. He locked down his business and sheltered employees in a back room for nearly five hours until police cleared the area.
Community Responds With Solidarity
Despite the violence, residents emphasized that Wallace remains a safe and close-knit town. Businesses reopened cautiously, and community members rallied behind law enforcement.
Employees from a local café delivered food to deputies the following day — a gesture the sheriff’s office publicly shared in gratitude.
Wallace, once a silver boomtown and now a fully preserved historic district, has weathered hardship before. In 2004, the town famously declared itself the “Center of the Universe,” a title residents celebrate with pride.
Rare but Sobering Reminder
While gun violence is rare in Wallace, officials acknowledged that small towns are not immune. The incident came just months after two firefighters were killed in an ambush roughly 48 miles away in Coeur d’Alene.
For locals, the shooting was a shock — but not a breaking point.
“We still feel safe here,” Shields said. “This is our home.”