A tragic incident unfolded in Boise, Idaho, as a sheriff's deputy lost his life after being shot during a routine traffic stop on Saturday night. Deputy Tobin Bolter, aged 27, was conducting a stop on a gray Chevy Suburban when he was shot as he approached the driver's window, according to the Ada County Sheriff's Office.
The driver, a 65-year-old man with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant, fled the scene after the shooting, leaving Deputy Bolter critically injured. A witness to the incident immediately called 911 and administered CPR to Bolter until medical help arrived. Despite efforts to save him, Bolter succumbed to his injuries at Saint Alphonsus Medical Regional Center in Boise the following day.
Boise police swiftly located the suspect's vehicle, which was abandoned, and later found the man believed to be the suspect near a residence during a search of the area. The suspect, however, refused to surrender to law enforcement and opened fire on officers, prompting a response that resulted in the suspect being shot.
During the tense standoff, residents were advised to evacuate the area, while others were instructed to remain indoors for their safety. Additionally, a second deputy en route to assist Bolter was involved in a two-vehicle collision, resulting in injuries to both the deputy and the other driver.
Sheriff Matt Clifford expressed gratitude towards the citizen who rendered aid to Deputy Bolter and emphasized the support of the community during such tragic events. Bolter, with seven years of law enforcement experience, was the first sheriff's deputy in Ada County to be killed in the line of duty. Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Deputy Tobin Bolter, recognizing his sacrifice and the dedication of law enforcement officers across the state.
