UPDATE:
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An east Idaho man has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a multi-county search ended in a shootout with Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies. The incident, which began as a physical domestic dispute and vehicle theft in Madison County, ended in a deputy-involved shooting near 95th E, leaving the suspect with life-threatening injuries.
Initial Incident and Early Morning Pursuit
The incident began late Tuesday night, December 16, when the Madison County Sheriff’s Office reported a man involved in a physical domestic dispute had stolen a vehicle. Requesting assistance from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office just after 3:30 am, authorities believed that the suspect was likely armed and had expressed an intent to commit “suicide by cop.”
Bonneville County Deputies had first encountered the stolen vehicle around 11:00 p.m. near S. Ammon Rd. and 49th S. At the time, the deputies were unaware of the incident in Madison County, but spotted the driver was traveling at high speeds with no headlights. As the deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop, the driver sped away, and the pursuit was called off due to safety reasons.
The search intensified at 5:30 a.m. when Madison County officials tracked the suspect to the area of 17th St. and Ammon Rd. Deputies in the area spotted the vehicle traveling northbound on Ammon Rd. The driver reportedly showed no regard for the rules of the road, driving through the center island of a roundabout at Lincoln Rd. and nearly striking several other motorists. BCSO says Deputies attempted to get behind and stop the vehicle, but lost sight of it, weaving in and out of traffic in the dark.
Moments later, an unmarked patrol unit spotted the vehicle in the City of Ucon. The driver continued to weave into oncoming traffic with no lights on.
The Deputy followed the vehicle on N. Yellowstone to County Line Rd. where the vehicle turned east, until more patrol cars could get to the area. As the vehicle approached 95th E., a deputy successfully executed a PIT maneuver, which turned the vehicle off the side of the road and into the gutter.
The Shooting and Ongoing Investigation
As his car came to a stop, BCSO says the man immediately began firing at officers. Two deputies returned fire. BCSO says whether or not the driver was struck by his own fired rounds or rounds from a deputy is under investigation.
BCSO says deputies provided immediate on-site medical aid until Idaho Falls Ambulance personnel arrived. The suspect was taken to East Idaho Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. No deputies or bystanders were injured during the exchange.
In accordance with standard protocol, Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse requested assistance from the East Idaho Critical Incident Team to investigate the incident. The Bingham County/Blackfoot Police Investigations team is leading the investigation with assistance from multiple area agencies.
The identities of the suspect and the deputies involved have not yet been released. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
ORIGINAL:
BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Bonneville County deputies are investigating what they call “a critical incident” along North County Line Road.
A one-mile stretch between 95th East and 85th East, along the Jefferson County line, is closed while investigators process the scene.
Authorities say the area is secure and there is no threat to the public.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes until the road reopens.
This is a tri-county investigation including Bonneville, Bingham, and Jefferson counties. We are told Bingham County is leading the investigation, although the incident occurred in Bonneville County.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more details are released.
