Whitefish man killed by Idaho police officer

The man shot and killed on I-90 at Lookout Pass by an Idaho State Police officer on June 12 was a 26-year-old Whitefish man.

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Alexander Mandarino was killed around noon about two miles west of the Montana-Idaho state line. Mandarino graduated from Whitefish High School in 2005 and attended the University of Montana. His parents. Monte Mandarino and Laura Blankenship, live in Whitefish.

A Shoshone County deputy and an Idaho State Police officer responded to the scene of the shooting after an orange Toyota Scion with Flathead County license plates was reportedly seen parked at a strange angle at an eastbound turnout with its front tires off the pavement.

While talking to Mandarino, the two officers noticed he had a handgun. A struggle reportedly ensued, and the Idaho State Police officer shot Mandarino. Mandarino was transported to Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

Neither officer was injured, and both are now on administrative leave. An autopsy was performed on Mandarino, but toxicology results may not be available for six to eight weeks.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident. They are asked to call 208-446-1300.