Shooting victim in stable condition

COEUR d'ALENE - The victim shot Saturday in Coeur d'Alene is in stable condition, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

Frank James, 29, underwent emergency surgery at Kootenai Health Saturday after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest at 11th Street and Lakeside Avenue.

James "is currently in stable condition," the office said.

The alleged shooter, Christian Buquet (Mallon), was shot to death by Coeur d'Alene Police after a roughly 5-mile car chase ended on East Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.

Investigators are still putting all of the pieces together to learn what started the outburst of violence, but the KCSO said Monday the victim and suspect "were at least acquaintances."

Autopsy results are expected to take several days while toxicology results from the autopsy are expected to take six to eight weeks, the office stated. Further information will be slower in developing as investigators continue to process evidence and await laboratory results.

According to 1st District Court records, Buquet had a previous adult arrest for attempted robbery in 2011. James had been charged with felony controlled substance, fraud and misdemeanor criminal conspiracy in 2010, and misdemeanor battery in 2011, for which he was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 145 of them suspended.

Buquet reportedly fled in a white car after shooting James, heading toward Higgens Point, east of Coeur d'Alene, driving on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.

After reportedly shooting James, authorities say Buquet randomly fired at other citizens in the area before being chased by police. He also fired at pursuing officers.

Investigators identified four different scenes in the city where Buquet allegedly shot at citizens.

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call KCSO Detective Sergeant Brad Maskell at (208) 446-1300.