Cd'A officer in shooting placed on paid leave

The Coeur d’Alene Police officer who shot a man Wednesday morning — believing the individual had a weapon when he approached police outside an apartment near Interstate 90 — has been placed on administrative leave.

Officer John Guthrie will be on paid leave pending an investigation by Idaho State Police into the April 4 incident. ISP conducts independent investigations of other agencies.

Guthrie, a member of the department since 2016, shot 31-year-old Jeremy Eaton, who reportedly ran toward officers who were responding to a suicide call at the apartment on North A Street.

Police rolled to the call around 12:30 a.m., and dispatchers told police the man, who was later confirmed to be Eaton, said he had a gun.

When officers arrived, police said, Eaton was behind a woman who came out of the apartment building first.

“Once officers arrived on scene, a female exited the apartment,” Detective Jared Reneau said. “The male suspect followed the female outside and was non-compliant when contacted by officers. The male rapidly approached officers, ignoring commands to show his hands.”

A shot from a beanbag gun didn’t appear to affect Eaton, police said.

Guthrie shot Eaton once with his service weapon and Eaton fell to the ground. Police and medics provided care before Eaton was transported to Kootenai Health.

“After Eaton’s confrontation with the officers on scene, investigators recovered a random item Eaton had concealed in his clothing,” police said. “A witness identified this item and explained Eaton concealed it to make it look like (he) was in possession of a concealed weapon.”

Police said Eaton is expected to recover. He is listed in fair condition at Kootenai Health, staff members said.