Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee stated that the shooting occurred at 1:50 p.m. Monday. He also reported that one person was “shot down” at that moment.
The suspect was spotted by the officers when they arrived.
Lee stated that there was a brief exchange of gunfire which occurred shortly afterwards, resulting in the officer being injured and the suspect being taken into police custody. He stated that investigators believe there was one shooter and there is no continuing danger to the public.
Monday evening’s news release by police stated that the suspect was in serious condition at a hospital. The officer who sustained injuries was also being treated and released. Authorities did not release any information on the suspect or victims, but they said that the investigation was ongoing.
Lee stated, “We cannot at the moment speak to any motivation behind this.”
Boise Towne Square is the largest shopping center in the city.
Lee stated, “I cannot stress enough the trauma this event causes for the entire community, as well for those who were witnesses or the families of those involved, or both.”
Witnesses waited in the rain outside Macy’s, one of the five major department stores at the mall, to be interviewed or asked to leave. A section of the mall’s parking lot was occupied by police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. The investigation was assisted by federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officers.
Officers closed a portion of a road about a quarter mile from a busy intersection to investigate a second crime scene in connection with the shooting incident. The officers at the second crime scene refused to answer any questions.
Cheri Gypin of Boise was walking for about an hour with a friend in the mall. They do this three to four times per week. She claimed she heard loud bangs and thought that something was falling from the ceiling.
Then, about 60 people, including stroller-wielding families, ran at them, some shouting that they were being attacked by an active shooter.
Gypin, 60, said that Gypin was trying to understand it. “I looked at her and said, “We have to run.” We ran until we reached the outer perimeter of our parking lot.
They returned to their cars, and police advised the people fleeing the mall to get out of the parking lot.
Lee stated that investigators were working closely with hospital officials to notify family members of victims and their families.
Lauren McLean, Boise mayor, asked the media and members of the public to respect the privacy of victims and their families as they dealt with the trauma from the shooting. She expressed her gratitude to the first responders, law enforcement officers and other people who helped keep the community safe.
McLean stated that “Countless people found themselves trapped in a situation which they never expected” and praised the shopkeepers for their quick responses to help those who were already there. In a chaotic and difficult moment, you showed how much you cared and what you were willing to do for strangers.
