Kristian Mortensen was driving home from work on Thursday when he unexpectedly found himself in the middle of a dramatic police chase that ended with multiple gunshots.
“It was wild. I’ve been to plenty of gun ranges, but I’ve never been that close to gunfire when it’s an actual crime scene,” Mortensen told reporter Allie Triepke.
Mortensen’s eyewitness video shows several officers closing in on the suspect’s vehicle after a high-speed chase through Kuna and Meridian. “He put a lot of lives at risk, including mine, since he drove right past me,” Mortensen said.
The incident began around 6:00 PM on Thursday. Meridian Police were called to a disturbance near Eagle Road and Overland Road. Officers located the suspect, who then fled the scene, initiating a pursuit.
After a few minutes, officers lost sight of the suspect in South Meridian and called off the chase. However, about 15 minutes later, the suspect’s car was spotted driving through a Kuna neighborhood, prompting officers to resume the pursuit.
Police deployed spike strips on Meridian Road, but the suspect continued northbound toward the interstate. During the chase, the suspect called Ada County dispatch, informing them he had a gun.
Mortensen was merging onto the westbound on-ramp when he saw the chase pass by. “It was the white SUV. He flew right by me, and I looked in my rearview mirror, and the cops were coming just as fast,” Mortensen recalled.
The chase concluded when Kuna PD executed a pit maneuver, stopping the suspect’s vehicle in the median. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office reported that the suspect exited his car with a gun in his hand. It remains under investigation whether the suspect fired any shots.
Officers issued verbal commands to the suspect before what sounded like three Kuna Police Deputies fired over a dozen shots. The suspect was hit and critically injured. “I saw the driver-side door was open and a body on the ground,” Mortensen said. The suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured during the incident.
“It’s really sad to see something like that,” Mortensen remarked. His firsthand account and video vividly depict the intense and dangerous situation that unfolded on the streets of Meridian and Kuna. This incident highlights the risks law enforcement officers face daily and the potential dangers to the public during such high-stakes encounters.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to piece together the exact sequence of events and determine the suspect’s actions during the chase and subsequent shooting. For now, the community is left grappling with the reality of a dramatic police encounter that could have had even more severe consequences.
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This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of police work and the split-second decisions officers must make in the line of duty. Eyewitness accounts like Mortensen’s provide crucial insights into these high-pressure situations, underscoring the bravery and challenges faced by law enforcement.
