A man gunned down four individuals during a shooting spree in Moscow, Idaho, on Saturday. The suspect, 29-year-old John Lee of Moscow, is responsible for the death of three individuals, with a fourth in critical condition.
According to KXLY , the shooting spree began as Lee shot and killed his adoptive mother, Terri Grzebielski, at her home. Grzebielski was Lee’s mother as well as a Moscow Family Medicine Physician’s Assistant. After killing his mother, Lee went to the Northwest Mutual and shot Moscow businessman David Trail. The second shooting took place at approximately 2:30 p.m.. As police were responding to the Northwest Mutual shooting, Lee continued to a local Arby’s restaurant.
Lee entered the Arby’s and asked for a manager. Arby’s restaurant manager Belinda Niebuhr come to the front of the store, where she was shot and killed. A fourth victim, Michael Chin, was also injured in the assault.
Boise Weekly reports that Moscow police were called to the Northwestern Mutual Insurance offices on East Third Street, where they found both Chin and Trail, who had been shot. Both were rushed to local hospitals, where Trail was pronounced dead on arrival. Just a few minutes later, the Moscow police got a call about a shooting at a nearby Arby’s restaurant.
During a press conference held by Moscow Police Chief David Duke, he noted that Lee entered the Northwestern Mutual Insurance offices and “immediately began shooting.” However, when entering the Arby’s restaurant, he first asked for a manager before opening fire.
“The shooter came in and immediately started shooting. The shooter, when he came in, did ask for the manager, and the manager did come out, and that’s when she was shot.”
After identifying Lee as a potential suspect, officers went to Lee’s residence, where they found his adoptive mother, Grzebielski, dead. Police were able to obtain a description of Lee’s vehicle, which led to a high speed car chase. Police in Pullman, Washington, saw Lee’s vehicle and attempted to pull him over. However, instead of surrendering, Lee led police on a chase with speeds exceeding 100 mph. Finally, at approximately 3:20 p.m., police ran Lee’s car off the road and apprehended the suspect. He was taken into custody and was booked at the Whitman County Jail.
Law enforcement officers with the City of Moscow, Latah County, Idaho State Police, as well as Washington agencies, are continuing to investigate the incident, and will provide further information as it becomes available.
[Image Credit: KREM ]