Two people killed, four others injured in shooting at Boise mall
Oct 25, 2021, 4:05 PM | Updated: Oct 26, 2021, 5:38 am
(KSL TV)
BOISE, Idaho – Two people were killed and four others injured in a shooting at the Boise Town Square. One officer was among those who were hit although their conditions are not known. One person is in police custody.
Boise police stated on Twitter that they responded to the mall around 1:50 p.m. Monday. Police were notifying family members of the victims as officers cleared the mall.
Police held a press conference at 4:30 p.m. to tell the community about what happened.
“I cannot stress enough how traumatic this event is for the community at large,” Chief Tammany Brooks said to start the press conference. Police asked for privacy for the families. “We are still working with both the hospitals as well as our investigators to notify family.”
Brooks said the original report police received was that shots were fired at the mall and at least one person was down. As police responded, they encountered a person who matched the description of the shooter and an exchange of gunfire took place, injuring the officer. A suspect was taken into custody
“We really cannot speak to any motivation behind it (the shooting),” Brooks said. He acknowledged that the community would have many questions about the shooting and said Boise Police Department would work to get answers out as soon as it was able.
Police said a majority of the mall has been cleared as police look for any other possible threat or victims but it is believed there was a single shooter involved and they do not believe there are other safety concerns.
Police did not specify how serious any of the injuries were and said they would share more information as soon as possible. The spokesman expressed that police shared their thoughts and prayers with victims and the families of victims.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said never should a person have to, or expect to, get a call like they did Monday after loved ones headed to work or shopping.
“Countless people found themselves in a situation they never would have or should have expected,” McLean said at the press conference. She thanked shopkeepers for showing care and for fast reactions. She also thanked police officers for their reaction and compassion when people were scared at a really tough moment and said they did everything they could to keep people safe.
“People in the mall are safe. People in Boise are safe. Your safety is our priority.”