POCATELLO, Idaho — Two officers are in stable condition after being shot in a gunfight early Thursday morning in Pocatello.
The shootout happened outside a home at 941 East Bridger Street in Pocatello at 1:40 a.m. The address is in a residential neighborhood, just blocks from the police station.
Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei said in a Thursday afternoon press conference the officers had been called out to that home for a report of a "disturbance." As soon as they arrived and stepped out of their squad cars, he said, 45-year-old Todd V. Brewer came out of the home holding a rifle.
Brewer raised the gun up, aiming toward the officers, Schei said, and they opened fire at him.
"Brewer then ran towards the alleyway and the officers moved to that location," Upon contacting Mr. Brewer in the alleyway, there was an exchange of gunfire."
One officer was hit three times by bullets, the chief said, while the other was struck once. Brewer was shot twice.
All three were taken to Portneuf Medical Center for treatment, Schei said, and were all listed in stable condition by Thursday afternoon. The chief declined to release the injured officers' names or say where on their bodies they were shot.
Brewer, who remains hospitalized, could face felony charges of battery on an officer. The Critical Incident Task Force, led by the Bannock County Sheriff's Office, is leading the investigation.
The violence marks the first instance of a Pocatello Police officer shot in the line of duty since 2006, when Officer Matthew Shutes was shot in the foot during a gun battle with a convicted rapist.
Schei said he received the call about Thursday's shooting at 2 a.m. Both he and Mayor Brian Blad headed to the hospital.
"These officers, I know them, I've trained them. I worked with them their whole careers," he said. "When you see one of your people is hurt like that, it - you take that to heart."
Schei expressed gratitude to his own officers and dispatchers, as well as members of the community and those from other Idaho police departments and sheriff's offices who had called or stopped by to offer messages of support and encouragement.
"It's a trying time for us, so thank you," he said.
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