BOISE, Idaho — According to the Boise Police Department (BPD), 22-year-old Payton Wasson was shot by police in downtown Boise early Saturday morning in an incident on 5th Street. He died in the hospital the following day, Sunday, June 25. According to the Ada County Coroner's Office, Wasson cause of death was gunshot wound to the head.
"Payton Wasson of Nampa, Idaho, was transported from the vicinity of North 5th and West Main Streets in Boise, Idaho, to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head," the coroner's release said. "Life saving measures were unsuccessful and 22-year-old Payton Wasson was pronounced dead in the hospital. Further information is pending investigation."
BPD stated the incident occurred at around 2:12 a.m., when officers were checking out a vehicle near 5th Street and Main Street as part of an investigation.
When they tried to talk to a man in the car, he fled with a gun in hand, and ignored police commands to stop. According to police, that's when the officer shot Wasson.
Police said a gun was found next to the man.
"Officers immediately began life-saving care while others secured the scene. Ada County Paramedics took the suspect to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries," the press release stated.
No officers were hurt.
The officer who fired the shot will be placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure when officers discharge a weapon in the line of duty.
The Ada County Sheriff's Office is leading the Critical Incident Task Force Investigation. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed Saturday morning's incident to call Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.
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