Two youths shot
in Bellevue
Musician held on attempted
murder charges
By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer
David Leroy Santistevan, 46, of
Bellevue, has been arraigned in 5th District Court in connection with
the shooting of two Bellevue youths Monday evening in the southern
Blaine County community.
Santistevan is being charged with
two counts of attempted murder, said Blaine County Deputy Sheriff Gene
Ramsey in a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Old Blaine County
Court House in Hailey. Both victims were shot once. The investigation is
ongoing and no motive has been determined, he said.
DAVID STANTISTEVAN
The older victim was identified as
John Marshall Hooten, 19, of Bellevue. He is listed in critical
condition at a Boise hospital, and has had two surgeries since the
shooting, Ramsey said.
The 15-year-old juvenile’s name
will be released with publication of the official complaint, which will
include sworn police affidavits, said Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney
Jim Thomas. The youth is reported in stable condition.
Thomas and Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney Justin Whatcott are working together on the case. The two
prosecutors also are currently busy preparing for the trial of Sarah
Johnson, who is accused of shooting her parents in Bellevue six months
ago.
"We still have quite a bit of
searching to do at (Santistevan’s) house," Thomas said. Santistevan was
arrested at his home at 509 Walnut Street, Bellevue. "He was at the
house when we served the warrant."
At the arraignment Tuesday
afternoon criminal trial attorney Doug Nelson appeared in court to
represent Santistevan, a well-known Bellevue musician and guitar
instructor.
Blaine County Magistrate Judge
Robert Elgee found probable cause for two counts of attempted first
degree murder, Thomas said.
Thomas said he filed a sentencing
enhancement for use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.
Bond was set at $1 million, or
$500,000 for each count. A preliminary hearing will be set within 14
days.
Ramsey said the two youths were
traveling on a four-wheeler and had confronted Santistevan, who was
standing outside by the driver’s side door of a Subaru Forester in an
alley east of Main Street when the shots were fired.
Hooten was shot in the chest and
fell to the ground. The 15-year-old was shot in the buttocks or the back
as he fled on the four-wheeler to his home on Second Street, where
police said he collapsed on the front porch of his home.
A review of Santistevan’s driver’s
license showed no record of a concealed weapons permit for the weapon
police allege he carried on his person.
"We’re finding 9 mm shells and
casings," Thomas said. The weapon used in the crime was a semi automatic
9-millimeter handgun, Thomas said.
The victims were initially
transported by ambulance to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center, where
three helicopter flights were employed to treat them.
One helicopter flight was used to
transport blood products from Twin Falls for Hooten’s first surgery. A
second flight transported the 15-year-old to Boise, where he is being
treated for a gunshot wound to his lower back or buttocks. Hooten was
transported in a third helicopter flight to Boise for a second surgery
for a gunshot to the chest.
The conflict began around 8:45
p.m. in the alley behind the South Valley Pizzeria, between Elm and Oak
Streets, Ramsey said. The investigation produced three 9-millimeter
shell casings.
Bellevue Reserve Captain Larry
Plott was the first police officer to respond to the 911 calls about the
shootings. He said the citizens of Bellevue who came forth with
statements were instrumental in leading to the arrest of Santistevan,
who was brought into custody without incident at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday
morning.
"Wood River Fire and Rescue helped
with lighting for the crime scene search," said Plott, who is filling in
for Bellevue Marshall Randy Tremble, who is out of town. "Just about
every agency in this valley was represented during the investigation."
Reports from eyewitnesses at the
scene contributed to the speedy arrest, Ramsey said.
A ledger allegedly linking
Santistevan to the crime scene was found and people in both the Silver
Dollar and Phoenix bars were interviewed. "It has been a cooperative
investigation," Ramsey said
As of Tuesday afternoon subpoenas
in the investigation were still being served.