Eddy praises efforts as investigation continues

WALLACE — Shoshone County Sheriff William Eddy praised the resilience and teamwork of law enforcement following the Dec. 26 shooting that injured three people near the sheriff’s office. 

The incident capped what Eddy described as an incredibly trying year for the department. 

“I can say we are all a team at the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, and I am both thankful and proud of everyone as we still are making progress and moving forward from this tragedy,” Eddy said. “All of us at the SCSO are thankful for the outside agencies that came to our aid.” 

On Dec. 26, John Drake, 77, opened fire in downtown Wallace just after 2:30 p.m., striking two residents sitting in the cab of a pickup and shattering a window at the nearby Ace Hardware before fleeing into the sheriff’s office building. He barricaded himself in a small attorney visiting area. 

Law enforcement from across the region, including all local police departments, several agencies from Kootenai County, Washington state and Montana, responded to the scene. Around 4:15 p.m., authorities confirmed officers neutralized the shooter. 

While investigators continue to piece together what happened, one question remains unanswered: why Drake opened fire. 

“We have no motive for Drake’s actions,” Eddy said. “There's a good chance we will never know what his motive was or why.” 

The SCSO lobby should reopen Jan. 12, as the county works to repair and restore the damaged public space. 

Kellogg Police Chief Paul Twidt confirmed that Officer Dameon Groves, who sustained an injury to his ear during an exchange of gunfire inside the sheriff’s office building, is doing well. Neither Twidt nor Eddy had updates on the other two victims. 

Last Friday, detectives with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department were in downtown Wallace continuing the investigation. 

“This investigation is being handled by multiple agencies, so it is hard to put a timeframe as to when it will wrap up,” Eddy said.