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On October 18th, 2019 at approximately 10:40 p.m. Idaho Falls Police Officers responded to a report of a suicidal male. According to the report, the male was parked in a vehicle near the intersection of E 25th Street and S Emerson Avenue and was threatening suicide with a firearm.
Due to the nature of the call, multiple Idaho Falls Police Officers responded. The initial officers arriving on scene were able to locate the vehicle and see the male inside. The male was unwilling to exit the vehicle or communicate with officers. At that time the officers requested that a supervisory officer respond, and two Idaho Falls Police Sergeants responded to the scene for a total of six IFPD officers. The officers continued to attempt to communicate with the individual.
After a period of time, the male displayed a handgun aimed in the direction of the officers and discharged a single round. Three of the Idaho Falls Police Officers responding fired their weapons into the car, discharging multiple rounds. The responding officers did not sustain any physical injuries.
Officers made immediate efforts to administer life-saving care to the male and continued those efforts until EMS personnel from Idaho Falls Fire arrived. The male was transported by ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.
Immediately following this incident the scene was secured and turned over to the Southeast Idaho Critical Incident Team (SICI Team), which is standard protocol for any officer involved shooting. As is standard policy, the three Idaho Falls Police Officers who discharged their firearms have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation by the SICI Team.
The SICI Team is comprised of representatives from law enforcement agencies from the region and exists to conduct external investigations of serious incidents that involve Southeast Idaho law enforcement officers. The team participating in this investigation includes representatives from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Police, who will serve as the lead investigative agency.
The Idaho Falls Police Department is cooperating fully with the SICI Team’s Investigation, however will hold no investigative role in this process which is standard for these investigations. Multiple officers on scene were wearing body cameras, and multiple patrol cars on scene were equipped with in-car cameras. This footage is all being turned over to the Southeast Idaho Critical Incident Team to assist with their investigation.
Interviews with the Idaho Falls Police Officers who responded to this incident are also in the process of being conducted. Upon the completion of those interviews, the Idaho Falls Police Department intends to release the names of the officers involved.
The name of the deceased male will also be released at that time. Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson and multiple Captains met with the family of the deceased male earlier today. They have requested that their privacy be respected during this time.
Upon the completion of their investigation, the Southeast Idaho Critical Incident Team will provide their findings to the Bonneville County Prosecutor for review. This process is one that must be done correctly and will take time to complete. The Idaho Falls Police Department is committed to ensuring the public is aware of all major police incidents, including officer involved shootings. Additional information will be released as soon as the investigation by the Southeast Idaho Critical Incident Team and the review by the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office permits.
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