Couple had history of violence

Two years before Shannon McKinnon shot his wife and killed himself, he was in court for maiming her.

At the time, his attack was characterized as an "isolated incident."

On Tuesday night, McKinnon shot his wife, Gina, blasting a shotgun in her face before turning it on himself at their Marion home.

She is reportedly fighting for her life in a Seattle hospital.

Shannon McKinnon, 45, was charged with aggravated assault in May 2002 after he bit off a third of his wife's tongue, which was surgically reattached.

He pleaded innocent to the felony in District Court.

In an agreement between then-County Attorney Tom Esch and defense attorney Gary Doran, McKinnon's charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

"After substantial discussion with the alleged victim, Gina McKinnon, and after careful review of the interests of the McKinnon family, the protection of society, and the circumstances of the defendant, this agreement has been prepared in the interest of justice," a court document says.

The agreement called for Shannon McKinnon to undergo counseling. That, according to the lawyers, "will adequately address the needs of the parties and any concerns of society to prevent such an incident from occurring in the future. Both parties submit that any injury incurred by Gina McKinnon was a result of impulsive and unintended behavior on the part of the defendant and is an isolated incident out of character of the defendant."

McKinnon paid a fine of $145. Justice of the Peace David Ortley imposed the maximum sentence of six months in jail, all suspended except for five days.

Listed as witnesses in the assault were the couple's two children, who were also present on Tuesday as Gina McKinnon, 40, was shot when Shannon McKinnon became enraged that she dented a car. Alcohol was reportedly involved in the shooting.

The children, said to be about 13 and 15, are in the care of friends and family. They ran to a neighbor's house after the shooting.

Gina McKinnon walked out of her home to sheriff's deputy Tom Allen, who cared for her until the Marion ambulance arrived. Her condition Wednesday was "extremely critical," according to Flathead County Sheriff Jim Dupont.

McKinnon was flown to Harborview Medical Center's trauma center in Seattle for treatment of shotgun wounds to the face and upper arm. A spokeswoman at the hospital Wednesday said she in the intensive-care unit there.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com