UPDATED NEWS RELEASE:
October 16th, 2024
The investigation by the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force of the officer involved shooting involving Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies on September 1st, 2024 has been completed and reviewed by the Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney. The incident began at approximately 3:30am that morning and involved a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Joshua Ramirez of Idaho Falls. Ramirez was observed by Dep. Ian McMurtrey crossing the center line on N. Woodruff Ave. near 12th St. almost striking the Deputy’s vehicle.
Deputy McMurtrey turned around and initiated an attempt at a traffic stop on Ramirez’s vehicle, who continued to drive northbound weaving across lanes and failing to pull over. After traveling just over a mile, Dep. McMurtrey was able to utilize a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) to stop the vehicle’s movement. Deputies Zach Skidmore and Jed Judy responded to the area to assist and were with Dep. McMurtrey when Ramirez’s vehicle was stopped.
After the vehicle was stopped, Ramirez made several movements back and forth pointing his fingers at Deputies and trying to re-start the vehicle. During that time Deputies gave multiple verbal commands to Ramirez to stop moving and to put his hands up which he did not do. As Deputy McMurtrey moved in closer to the passenger door attempting to gain entry, Ramirez lunged toward him over the passenger seat causing McMurtrey to retreat and Dep. Skidmore to discharge his weapon hitting him multiple times.
Deputies pulled Ramirez from the vehicle and began medical aid with the assistance of arriving area officers until Idaho Falls Ambulance arrived and took over. Ramirez was transported to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest sympathies to the Ramirez family. We recognize the traumatic effect of this incident on everyone involved. The taking of a life in the course of our professional duty is a serious matter deserving of a complete and thorough investigation. We appreciate the work and professionalism by investigators from the Critical Incident Task Force who are tasked with putting the pieces of these incidents together for review.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office works hard to analyze its processes and policies on a continual basis to make sure we are serving the community in the best way possible. We are committed to our overall mission of upholding the law and keeping Bonneville County Safe.
Sheriff Samuel M. Hulse
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WARNING: The video below contains Body Camera and Vehicle Camera footage with an overview of this incident including graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
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Original Release Below:
September 1st, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
RE: Officer Involved Shooting
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Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies were involved in a shooting early this morning while attempting to stop an erratic driver. At approximately 3:30am a Deputy advised he was attempting to stop a vehicle on Woodruff Ave near 1st St in Idaho Falls after almost being struck head on. The vehicle had crossed over multiple lanes of traffic and was not pulling over.
As they continued Northbound on Woodruff Ave., a Deputy performed a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) on the suspect vehicle in an attempt to stop the driver. Deputies were able to surround the suspect vehicle and attempt to contact the driver. During this time shots were fired and the suspect was injured.
Deputies and arriving Idaho Falls Police Officers began emergency medical aide to the suspect until Idaho Falls Ambulance arrived and took over. The suspect was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) for treatment and later died from injuries.
The suspect was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time and three Deputies were involved in the incident. None of the three Deputies were injured in the incident.
Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse requested assistance from the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force to investigate the circumstances. Detectives from multiple agencies are assisting with those efforts with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as the lead agency. The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office is also assisting with the investigation.
N. Woodruff Ave. between Chaffin Ln. and Bently Way will be closed this morning while Detectives process the scene and gather evidence.
The East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is made up of multiple City, County, and State agencies in Eastern Idaho. The resources from uninvolved agencies are utilized for critical incidents involving Law Enforcement.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. The Sheriff’s Office will release more details as they come available.
