Idaho police: 1 officer remains critical, 1 out of hospital

BOISE, Idaho – One of two Idaho police officers wounded during a shootout that left the suspect dead remained in critical condition and faces a long recovery, while the other has been released from the hospital, Boise police said Saturday.

Police Chief Bill Bones told reporters that a 17-year veteran officer, who was not identified, was shot multiple times and was severely injured Friday afternoon. He underwent surgery Saturday at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, the Idaho Statesman reported (http://bit.ly/2esfLQm).

“There’s not a tougher man that I know,” Bones said, adding that he is confident the officer will recover though it could take “months, not days or weeks.”

Cpl. Chris Davis, a 16-year veteran, was shot once. He was released from the hospital Saturday morning and is expected to make a full recovery, Bones said.

Both officers are members of the department’s special operations unit.

Police say the man killed in the shootout is 33-year-old Marco Romero, a recent parolee who was sought in connection with a Tuesday shooting in nearby Meridian that injured two people.

A police dog named Jardo that was shot during the altercation lost a lung, Bones said. The dog underwent surgery and police said he is resting up after taking his first walk Saturday morning.

Police said the shooting began around 12:45 p.m. Friday when a citizen reported seeing a vehicle and the suspect involved in the earlier carjacking and shooting in Meridian. Officers tracked the vehicle and later spotted the suspect walking down the street. Police say the man took off running into the neighbourhood.

Police called in its special operations unit, and officers began slowly searching nearby homes and yards. At around 3:30 p.m., officers found the suspect hiding.

Police say the man shot two officers and a police dog. Four officers, including Davis, shot the man. He died at the hospital.

Bones on Saturday did not discuss the details of the investigation into the shooting, which is being handled by the critical incident task force led by Garden City Police.