UPDATE: Boise police were involved in an officer-involved shooting near the Hull's Gulch area of the Boise Foothills Saturday morning just after 9:30 AM. No officers were injured in the incident and the male suspect is dead.
Police say the suspect was threatening hikers and animals on hiking trails near Lower Hull's Gulch and then fatally shot a hiker's dog.
Nearby residents received automated phone calls from the Ada County Emergency Systems urging them to stay away from the Hull's Gulch area. First responders secured the area and shut down roads for the safety of nearby citizens.
Officers confronted the suspect on the Kestrel Trail, but say the suspect fired shots at them and officers returned fire. Officers were able to secure the area and contain the suspect. Officers worked to carefully approach the suspect and found him deceased.
"Our thoughts go out the family that lost a dog today, to everybody that felt scared or threatened I want to reassure everybody that everything is resolved it's safe," said Boise Police Chief Bill Bones.
The Ada County Critical Incident Task Force led by the Meridian Police Department is investigating the shooting. At this time police have not released the name of the suspect or the officers involved but say the officers are on administrative leave. They are asking the public to avoid the area during the investigation.
"We moved here from another area that wasn't as friendly with hikers and bikers together but here in Boise we seem to get along fine so just the thought of that happening, it's horrifying," said Nancy Carosso who walks her dog in the foothills.
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UPDATE: Officers say one dog was fatally shot by the suspect prior to police involvement.
Police say the suspect was threatening hikers and animals on the popular hiking trails near Lower Hull's Gulch and then fatally shot a hiker's dog.
Boise Police Chief Bill Bones says the suspect fired multiple shots at officers, who returned fire and shot the adult male suspect.
The identities of those involved in the shooting have not yet been released.
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Boise Police say no officers were injured in this shooting. The suspect was found dead at the scene. People are still asked to stay away from the Hull's Gulch area.
Officer involved shooting update: Suspect found dead at the scene. Scene is secure. Please avoid the area. Investigation underway.
— Boise PD (@BoisePD) March 18, 2017
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Boise Police were involved in an officer-involved shooting near the Hulls Gulch area of the Boise Foothills late Saturday morning.
Authorities say the suspect is contained to an area near the lower Hulls Gulch trail head.
Officers have the area surrounded and are keeping people away.
People are asked to avoid the Hulls Gulch area.
This is an active scene and more information will be released as it becomes available.
