Theft suspect dead after reportedly trying to steal 4-wheeler, then being shot by owner and police
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SHELLEY — A person is dead after they reportedly tried to steal a 4-wheeler Tuesday night, and were shot by the owner and deputies.
Bingham County Coroner Jimmy Roberts declined to release the name of the deceased, as next of kin has not yet been notified.
According to a news release from the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the area of 1100 East and 1300 North east of Shelley around 11 p.m. after a report of shots fired.
The reporting party stated that a homeowner found a person on their property trying to steal a 4-wheeler. During the encounter, shots were fired, injuring both the homeowner and suspect, who then ran from the property.
Shelley Fire and Ambulance personnel were called to the scene and transported the injured homeowner to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls for treatment of a gunshot wound.
Deputies arrived on scene and began looking for the suspect, who was believed to be injured and still armed.
Eventually, Bingham and Bonneville County deputies found the suspect in a field next to the property, and shots were fired by deputies from both agencies. It’s unclear if the man fired at deputies.
Deputies immediately began life-saving measures on the suspect, but they died at the scene.
Officers from Shelley and Blackfoot police departments responded along with Idaho State Police and Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with the investigation.
The area was secured and Bingham County Sheriff Jeff Gardner requested the East Idaho Critical Incident Team respond to handle the investigation. No deputies or law enforcement were injured during the incident and injuries to the homeowner were non-life threatening.
According to the release, no further information is yet available as the East Idaho Critical Incident Team is continuing to investigate with the Pocatello Police Department as the lead agency, assisted by resources from Idaho Falls Police and the Idaho State Police.
The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office says they will release further information at a later time as the investigation unfolds.