The Ada County Critical Incident Task Force (CITF) led by the Garden City Police Department is continuing to investigate the officer-involved shooting on June 27, 2021. The involved officers, A. Hartje, a 4-year veteran police officer; S. Martinez, an 18-year-veteran police officer; and J. Ridgeway, a 12-year veteran police officer, are on paid administrative leave per department policy.
The suspect remains in the hospital in critical but stable condition.
The officers responding on scene immediately provided lifesaving care to the suspect, using newly acquired medical kits that they were carrying on their uniforms. All of our officers are trained in first aid, CPR, and tactical medicine. They recently received training to stop blood loss and stabilize an injured person until EMS personnel arrive.
“When our officers are called to critical incidents the value of human life weighs heavily on their minds, and officers will take every step possible to avoid having to use force of this nature. No officer wants to be put in this situation and on Sunday, after being forced to take decisive action to stop a threat, the officers moved quickly to administer life-saving care,” said Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee. “This was a very dangerous and dynamic situation and our hearts go out to the child involved and his family.”
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Previously released: July 27, 2021
This afternoon Boise Police began investigating a report of a child abduction near State St. and N. North St. The suspect, who is known to the family, reportedly entered a residence and left with a 14-year-old male. Based on evidence officers believed the boy was in immediate danger and began an investigation to find him. Detectives were called to the scene and an Amber Alert was in the process of being issued when patrol officers located the suspect’s vehicle not far from the original call location around 6:25 p.m.. Officers attempted a traffic stop and the suspect’s vehicle continued to flee. Officers could see a person matching the missing child’s description in the vehicle as well as what they believed to be a weapon. Officers performed a PIT maneuver stopping the suspect’s vehicle in the area of N. 36th Street and W. Eyrie Way. Officers confronted the suspect and due to the immediate danger presented by the suspect officers were forced to fire their weapons. Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures on the suspect and ensured the safety of the child in the vehicle. The suspect was taken to the hospital. The child was medically evaluated and is safe. No officers were injured in the incident.
The Ada County Critical Incident Task Force (CITF) led by the Garden City Police Department has been activated to investigate the shooting. Officers body camera video will be reviewed as part of the investigation. The information in this news release is considered preliminary pending the results of the CITF investigation.
Detectives received information that someone in a black pickup truck may have been a witness to the critical incident. Anyone who witnessed the critical incident is asked to call Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.