BOISE, Idaho — Boise Police Department officers involved in the shooting of an armed robbery suspect who pretended to have a gun and threatened to shoot a K-9 have been found justified in their use of force, Idaho News reported.
The incident occurred on Sept. 24, 2024, when officers responded to reports of an armed robbery, according to the report.
The suspect fled the scene and was later confirmed to be connected to other recent armed robberies.
Police initially pursued the suspect but called off the pursuit due to his high-speed, reckless driving, which was deemed a danger to public safety. Shortly after the pursuit ended, officers received a report from a resident who said a vehicle had been abandoned in their driveway. When police arrived, they saw the man jump a fence and hide in a nearby shed.
As officers formed a perimeter around the area, the suspect emerged from the shed and assumed what was described in police reports as a “shooting stance.” He was carrying a stick, which he was holding as though it were a gun.
When an officer told the man he would be bitten by a K-9 if he didn’t put the weapon down, the man replied that he would shoot the dog.
When the man emerged from behind the shed, two officers opened fire with patrol rifles, striking and wounding the suspect.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a hospital, where he later recovered from his injuries. He subsequently pleaded guilty to armed robbery, according to the report.
On Sept. 5, the Office of Police Accountability released their findings on the incident and determined the officers’ actions were in line with department policy and justified based on the threat posed by the suspect.
