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Disturbing the peace charge after hail of bullets
October 31, 2017
A man identified by neighbors as a retired law enforcement officer is facing a single misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace after several neighbors in the Frontier Village Subdivision reported him spraying rounds from an automatic firearm Sunday night, with bullets reportedly hitting the homes and property of at least three of them.

When the dust finally settled, no one had been injured.

Ronald Joseph Wood, 61, 657 Frontier Village Road, posted bond and was released soon after being booked into the Boundary County Jail.

Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the sheriff's office, Bonners Ferry Police Department, Border Patrol and Idaho Fish and game responded to the neighborhood when multiple calls of heavy gunfire began coming in at about 7:33 p.m. October 29.

Medics from Boundary Ambulance staged at a location nearby and firefighters from South Boundary Fire responded to be on standby in case their assistance was needed.

Sheriff's dispatchers, at the request of deputies, called the home and were able to make contact with Wood's wife, Darla, and both came out of the home.

According to court documents, Ronald told deputies that he "was on his own property and shooting his AK-47 from his porch and not bothering anyone." He denied shooting toward the homes of his neighbors.

Meanwhile, records reveal, another officer was dealing with Darla, who was "yelling and screaming obscenities."

Both, the report states, were "heavily intoxicated."

After interviewing several surrounding property owners, a deputy informed Ronald that he was under arrest and being charged with five counts of disturbing the peace. The number was later reduced to one count.

One neighbor new to the area told deputies that he and Ronald were involved in a dispute over a property line earlier that day and that Ronald indicated he would get back at him.

After her husband was taken to jail, problems continued; at 10:59 p.m., a neighbor called dispatch and said Darla Wood was letting the panic alarm on her vehicle continuously go off and texting his wife calling them names. Darla, in turn, called at 11:19 p.m. to request a deputy, as her car alarm was sounding and "she believes her neighbors are making up stories regarding the arrest of her spouse."

At 11:42 p.m., and likely with an exasperated sigh of relief, the deputy reported he was clearing the scene and returning to the sheriff's office.

Under Idaho law, one who disturbs the peace guiltily; "maliciously and willfully disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, family or person, by loud or unusual noise, or by tumultuous or offensive conduct, or by threatening, traducing, quarreling, challenging to fight or fighting, or fires any gun or pistol, or uses any vulgar, profane or indecent language within the presence or hearing of children, in a loud and boisterous manner."

If convicted, such disturber could face up to one year in county jail and/or a $500 fine.
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