BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — According to a recent news release, the Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney determined the actions of the Boise Police officer who shot and injured Jeremy Waste on Nov. 21, 2022, were justified under Idaho law.
"We appreciate the comprehensive investigation and thorough review of the incident by the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force (CITF) led by the Meridian Police Department and the Twin Falls County Prosecutor, and we are grateful the officers involved were able to return home to their families that day," said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar.
The release says police began looking for Jeremy Waste on Nov. 18, 2022, after evidence showed he stabbed a family member multiple times before fleeing the scene. The family member survived, and the investigation was ongoing to locate Waste.
On Nov. 21, 2022, officers obtained a warrant for Waste's arrest on charges of aggravated battery. Around 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2022, officers received information Waste was on Red Cedar Lane, and multiple officers responded to serve the warrant.
Officers spread out looking for Waste when one located Waste near a bike/pedestrian trail and ordered him to stop. Waste attempted to flee on a bicycle and fell. Waste yelled, "I want to get shot. I want to go to heaven," then charged at the officer.
Waste brandished a knife while chasing the officer, who was able to utilize a police vehicle as cover, continuing to adjust his position to maintain a buffer between him and Waste while trying to convince Waste to drop the knife.
A second officer responded down a nearby hillside when Waste turned and aggressed the second officer with the knife. That officer struck Waste by firing two shots at him.
"The facts in this case reveal that Boise Police Officers were legally attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Waste for violent felonies. When encountered by police, Jeremy Waste was armed with a knife which he brandished and threatened and chased officers with," said Grant Loebs, Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney. "At the time he was shot, Waste was advancing with the knife towards the officer who shot him. Therefore, when deadly force was used against Waste, the officer was not only lawfully attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a violent felon and defending another law enforcement officer, but was acting in self-defense against a present threat to himself."
Waste was treated and released from the hospital and charged with multiple crimes. He pleaded guilty to assault or battery upon certain personnel and to the enhancement for using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to prison for 20 years, ten fixed, on Aug. 21, 2023.
Waste was also sentenced to 30 years, ten fixed to run concurrently, for Aggravated Battery against the family member.
Boise Police Department's body video of the officer-involved shooting portion of the police response can be found HERE.
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