Shooting victim's condition improves

POST FALLS - The 56-year-old Post Falls woman who was shot in the face on Aug. 9 continues to make strides in recovery and was in satisfactory condition on Wednesday.

The victim, identified by police as Kelle Weikel-Poole, is still being treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

"She may be there another month going through reconstructive surgeries," Post Falls Police Capt. Greg McLean said.

Suspected 42-year-old shooter Shade A. Miller, who lived with Weikel-Poole as her boyfriend at the time, remains in the Kootenai County jail on $100,000 bail and is charged with aggravated battery. He waived his preliminary hearing on Tuesday and an arraignment date is pending.

Miller was arrested without incident at the Post Falls home after he called 911 to report he had shot his girlfriend, according to police.

Officers entered the residence and found the victim with a gunshot wound to the left side of her face. The woman was transported to Kootenai Health before being airlifted to Harborview.

McLean said police haven't found reports of domestic violence at the home.

"It is our understanding that there have been incidents, but none were reported," he said.

According to her neighbors, Miller has lived at the home for about eight years.

McLean said Miller has claimed the incident was an accident.

Meanwhile, those close to Weikel-Poole hope her recovery progresses well.

"Kelle is a very unselfish, fun, bright and fun-to-be-around person," a GoFundMe online benefit account for Weikel-Poole states. "She is a gifted paralegal, a loving grandmother and mother and a trusted friend to many."