Two Power County men arrested after standoff near Trail Creek
BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Two Power County men are in custody after an early morning shooting and hours-long standoff near Trail Creek on Thursday, according to the Bannock County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's deputies were called to the Trail Creek area at about 2 a.m. after receiving reports that two men were firing shots into a motorhome parked at a campsite. The motorhome's owner was not injured, but the suspects had left the immediate area before deputies arrived.
According to the Sheriff's Office news release, deputies quickly secured the area, issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, and launched a drone to help search for the suspects. Within about 20 minutes, deputies located two armed men in a ravine north of Trail Creek.
Investigators said the men discharged firearms during the search and may have fired in the direction of the drone.
The Southeast Idaho Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team was requested to assist. Before the team arrived, deputies were able to communicate with one of the suspects and persuade him to put down his weapon. He surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody at 3:12 a.m., according to the Sheriff's Office.
The second suspect remained armed and refused to surrender. The STAR Team continued negotiations with the man at 3:25 a.m. After continuous communication efforts, combined with the use of police canines and drone-mounted spotlights, the man finally surrendered. He was taken into custody at 3:55 a.m., according to the report.
No injuries were reported.
The Bannock County Sheriff's Office identified the suspects as William W. Cronon, 58, and Gavin R. Scollard, 44, both of Power County. Both men were booked into the Bannock County Detention Center on preliminary charges of felony aggravated assault and felony unlawful discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.
"This was a best-case scenario for a high-risk call," Sheriff Tony Manu said in the news release. "I'm exceptionally proud of our deputies, the STAR Team, and our regional partners. Their professional coordination and patience brought a potentially dangerous situation to a peaceful resolution."
The Bannock County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Pocatello Police Department, Chubbuck Police Department, Idaho State Police, Bannock County Ambulance District, and the Southeast Idaho STAR Team.
Authorities have lifted the shelter-in-place order. However, West Trail Creek Road from the cattle guard to the county line remained closed Thursday morning while investigators continued processing the scene, according to the Sheriff's Office.
