KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Sheriff Investigating Shooting Death Of 7-Year-Old CDA Boy

KOOTENAI COUNTY PRESS RELEASE:

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho - The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department is investigating the Saturday evening shooting death of a 7 year old Coeur d'Alene boy in the Sunset Drive area of southeast Kootenai County.

On October 15, 2011, at 7:42 PM, KCSD deputies, St. Maries Fire personnel and Northwest Medstar responded to a reported shooting in the 4600 block of Sunset Drive off Highway 97 near Harrison Idaho.  Upon arrival deputies & medical personnel found that Conner Bartlett age 7, of Coeur d'Alene has sustained a gunshot wound.  Conner was transported by ambulance to the O'Gara Road Fire station where Northwest Medstar personnel landed.  Conner was pronounced dead at that location.

A preliminary investigation by KCSD Detectives indicates Conner had accompanied family members on a hunting trip to a property located on Sunset Drive.  At the completion of the day's activities Conner's father Robert A.  Bartlett age 36 of St.  Maries, Idaho was placing a hunting rifle back into the vehicle where Conner was present. The gun discharged and Conner was struck by the bullet from that rifle.

Conner lived in Coeur d'Alene with his mother and attended Skyway Elementary school in Coeur d'Alene.  School District #271 officials have been notified of his death and are saddened by this loss. Grief counselors will be available beginning Monday for students and District Staff.

The investigation by KCSD Detectives is continuing. No further information on this incident will be released today.