A dramatic police chase on Interstate 84 in Meridian, Idaho, ended in a shooting on Thursday night. Officers from several police agencies, including Meridian, Kuna, and Idaho State Police, responded to the scene after a pursuit ended with the suspect’s vehicle being stopped and shots being fired.
The incident began around 6 p.m. when Meridian police received a report of a fight near Eagle and Overland roads. According to Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford, officers found a vehicle they believed was involved in the report at 6:16 p.m. This discovery led to the start of a high-speed chase. However, officers lost sight of the vehicle near Columbia and Locust Grove, causing the pursuit to be temporarily halted.
At 6:37 p.m., Kuna police spotted the suspect’s vehicle and initiated another pursuit. The chase headed north on Meridian Road, during which the suspect contacted dispatchers and claimed to have a gun. The pursuit escalated as the suspect entered the onramp onto westbound I-84.
A Kuna Police deputy performed a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver, causing the suspect’s vehicle to stop in the median between the onramp and the interstate.
Sheriff Clifford reported that verbal commands were given to the suspect before shots were fired. The suspect was shot and taken to the hospital in critical condition. His identity has not yet been released. Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Boise Police Department has been assigned as the lead agency for the Critical Incident Task Force, which is responsible for investigating the shooting. Video footage from the scene showed a vehicle on the grass between the interstate and the onramp, marking the spot where the incident concluded.
The incident had repercussions for nearby Roaring Springs Water Park. As a precaution, officers cleared out the wave pool, which is closest to the incident site. A spokeswoman for the park informed KTVB that no injuries had been reported and that guests were allowed to leave the park safely. The park was hosting a Christian concert event at the wave pool that evening, which attracted a large crowd.
“An incident unrelated to Roaring Springs took place across I-84 at the same time a Christian concert was starting on the Wave Pool stage. Police asked Roaring Springs management to clear the Wave Pool and Bearfoot Bay. The rest of the waterpark remained operational, and guests continued to ride attractions at a private event. This incident was unrelated to Roaring Springs, and no guests or employees were injured. Roaring Springs will open as scheduled at 11 a.m. on Friday.”
Residents and guests at Roaring Springs expressed relief that the situation was handled swiftly and efficiently by law enforcement. The quick response ensured that no bystanders were harmed, and the water park could continue its operations with minimal disruption.
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As the investigation continues, the community remains watchful and supportive of local law enforcement efforts. The Critical Incident Task Force will provide updates as more information becomes available, and the community hopes for a speedy recovery for the suspect involved.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to local news channels and follow the official statements from the Boise Police Department and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
