By Nicole Blanchard and Kyle Land
Idaho Statesman
BOISE, Idaho — Boise police have confirmed that two people were killed and four others were injured, including a police officer, in a shooting at the Boise Towne Square mall on Monday afternoon.
At a news conference, Boise Police Department Chief Ryan Lee said that a Boise police officer was among the injured, and stressed that the investigation was ongoing. Lee said the suspect in the shooting is in police custody. Neither the suspect nor any of the victims has been publicly identified.
According to Lee, officers responded to reports of shots fired at the mall on North Milwaukee Street at around 1:50 p.m. Mountain time Monday.
“Shortly after responding on scene, officers encountered an individual matching the suspect’s description, and there was an exchange of gunfire that ensued shortly thereafter, resulting in the officer’s injury, as well as the suspect being taken into custody,” Lee said.
Lee said the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force will be investigating the officer-involved shooting, but that Boise police will investigate other aspects of the case.
Lee said Boise police were still working to clear the mall and contact the families of the injured and deceased. He declined to answer specific questions about the incident, citing the investigation into the officer-involved aspect of the incident.
“I cannot stress enough how traumatic this event is for the community at large, as well as for those that were witnesses, or the families of those involved or involved themselves,” Lee said.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean also spoke at the news conference. She extended thanks to first responders and mall employees.
“I want to thank the shopkeepers, the people in the mall that reacted so quickly to take care of folks that were there,” McLean said. “You showed in a tough and chaotic moment how much you care and what you’re willing to do to support and care for strangers.”
The Ada County Coroner’s Office said in a news release Monday that it was responding to the situation and expected to have updates Tuesday.
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