Gas station shooter convicted of multiple felonies

Tisen Sterkel, 32, of Priest River, was convicted Friday of multiple felony charges related to a December crime spree that began at a Post Falls gas station.

After a five-day jury trial before District Judge Lamont Berecz, Sterkel was found guilty of two counts of aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon; aggravated assault with the use of a deadly weapon; two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle; and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

He was found not guilty of one count of burglary.

Prior to the trial, Sterkel pleaded guilty to felony eluding, felony possession of methamphetamine, unlawful entry and attempted unlawful entry.

All the charges stem from a Dec. 1 incident that began at a gas station near the intersection of Highway 41 and Poleline Avenue, when Sterkel fired at least five shots, hitting one man in the neck and another in the leg. Both men survived their injuries.

After the shooting, Sterkel fled the scene in a pickup. Police said he ditched the pickup and stole a different vehicle, before forcing a man at gunpoint to switch vehicles with him and then driving off again.

Sterkel also entered two different residences on foot while trying to elude police.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh praised the investigative work of the Post Falls Police Department and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. He also praised Criminal Chief Laura McClinton and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Perez, who prosecuted the case.