Man, 74, identified as shooter of suspected burglar

Coeur d'Alene Police on Monday named the men involved in a fatal incident outside a shopping center on Friday.

James Dean, 74, Priest River, was identified as the man who shot a suspected car burglar in a parking lot outside retail stores on West Canfield Avenue, Capt. Dave Hagar said.

Shane Ryan Brown, 30, Sandpoint, died at the scene.

Hagar said Dean and his wife were walking to their truck parked near Ross and Michaels about 3:30 p.m. when they saw Brown inside their vehicle.

Hagar said, at some point, Dean drew a handgun and engaged Brown, who left the vehicle and got into the vehicle he arrived in.

Dean holstered his firearm, Hagar said.

Brown reportedly drove the vehicle toward Dean, about 10 feet away, Hagar said.

Dean put one hand on the hood of the car and drew the firearm with the other, Hagar said.

He ended up on the hood of the car and fired multiple shots at Brown, Hagar said.

Police were waiting for autopsy results to determine how many times Brown was hit.

Dean was carried on the hood of the car a short distance, perhaps 20 feet, before falling off.

"The suspect’s vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle, throwing the citizen off the hood," a press release said. "The suspect got out of the vehicle and was on the ground when officers arrived. Officers immediately began giving medical aid to the citizen and the suspected burglar."

Both men were transported to Kootenai Heath, where Brown died.

Dean's condition was not available on Monday.

Asked if Dean could face charges, Hagar said the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will review the case.