70 MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUND IN SLAIN MAN'S HOME

Dectectives seeking four men, one woman in connection with
shooting

Sheriff's detectives said 70 marijuana plants were found in the home
of a Spokane Valley man who was gunned down Sunday afternoon.

Michael J. Guilbeault, 21, was shot and killed after three men pushed
through the door of his home at 10921 E. Nixon at about 3:45 p.m.

Another man inside Guilbeault's house -- whose name was not released
- -- was injured when the intruders hit him in the face with the butt of
a gun. A third person in the residence ran when the shooting began and
detectives have not been able to find him.

Four men and a woman fled the scene in a white Dodge Aries, the
sheriff's office said. No arrests have been made.

Detectives have not said if the marijuana plants -- which were found
in a double-padlocked room -- are connected to a motive in the shooting.

"We are devastated by the loss of our son and we hope they find the
men who did it and bring them to justice," said Jill Guilbeault, the
victim's stepmother.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said Michael Guilbeault
"was always polite and respectful. When he borrowed things he always
brought them back immediately."

Property records show the house Guilbeault lived in is owned by
Valerie R. Perry. Another neighbor, who also asked not to be named,
said Guilbeault is Perry's son and that he lived there less than a
year.

People were seen frequently coming and going from the yellow house,
said neighbors.

The activity began when Perry moved away, said Domingo Cunanan, who
lives next door.

"During the day they played their music loud, but in the evening, they
were pretty quiet," he said.

Several residents also said property thefts had increased in recent
months.

Court documents show Guilbeault pleaded guilty in 1997 to
second-degree robbery, after using a weapon to steal candy from
trick-or-treaters on Halloween in 1996.

Guilbeault also pleaded guilty to a parole violation, which involved a
weapons charge.