LEWISTON - The Idaho State Police says the trooper who killed one man and wounded another on May 18 was being attacked and beaten when he fired his weapon.

The incident happened on Cottonwood Creek Road east of Culdesac.

The following is the news release issued Tuesday by Captain Lonnie Richardson, ISP Region 2 Commander:

"On the evening of May 18, 2009, the Idaho State Police received an attempt to locate on a reckless driver in the area of Garden Gulch Road and Cottonwood Creek Road in Nez Perce County, ID. An Idaho State Police Trooper located a vehicle matching the description exceeding the posted speed limit on Cottonwood Creek Road and then executed a routine traffic enforcement contact."

"The vehicle pulled into a lane leading past a residence at 22021 Cottonwood Creek Road. The vehicle was occupied by two males. Both occupants were uncooperative and combative towards the trooper and alcohol use by the driver was suspected. The trooper attempted to arrest the driver and a physical altercation ensued."

"The trooper was overpowered, knocked to the ground, and was being battered by both male subjects when both were shot by the trooper. The trooper summoned law enforcement assistance as well as medical assistance for the suspects. The trooper sustained abrasions to the head and face as well as other injuries to his entire body and was treated and released from a local hospital."

"Cottonwood Creek Road is maintained by Nez Perce County and pursuant to Idaho Code 67-5101G, the Idaho State Police has jurisdiction on all State and County roads."

"With both suspects being Nez Perce Tribal members and the location of the shooting occurring within the Nez Perce Reservation boundaries, the FBI responded and was designated as the lead agency in this investigation."

"As is customary with ISP procedure, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave with pay and ISP will conduct an internal investigation into the facts and circumstances of this incident."

"The vehicle occupants have been identified as Randall Vernon Ellenwood (deceased) and Ricardo Daniel Rodriguez (injured). The trooper?s name is not being released at this time."

"The Idaho State Police would like extend our sincere condolences to the families of Randall Ellenwood and Ricardo Rodriguez on this tragic event. The Idaho State Police would like to express our appreciation to the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department, the Nez Perce Sheriff's Office, the Lewiston Police, local EMS and the FBI for their assistance with this incident."