Boise officers justified in shooting, wounded Gavin Donithorne, who was armed with a BB gun
By: The officer and deputy involved in a March 8 shooting that wounded Gavin Donithrone were justified under the law, said the Boise Police Department in a news release.
According to the news release, the Boise Police Officer, and Ada County Sheriff's Deputy were exonerated by the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney on Nov. 7, after reviewing evidence they determined the officers involved were justified in the shooting.
The Donithrone family called Ada County dispatch around 8:30 a.m. to report that he had threatened their lives and was driving from Portland to Boise, according to the news release.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., the Boise Police Department learned that Donithorne's vehicle had entered the state of Idaho, said in the news release. Meanwhile, Gavin's parole officer in Oregon was in the process of obtaining an agent's warrant for his arrest. BPD concluded that there was probable cause to arrest Gavin for felony stalking.
The news release stated, sheriff's deputies found Donithorne's vehicle in Eagle and attempted to stop, but he fled at speeds over 100 miles an hour. They stopped the chase due to the danger to the public. Boise officers later found him at a parking lot on Boise Avenue near Apple Street.
Donithore exited the vehicle pointing a gun at officers, and one of the Boise officers fired nine shots, BPD said. Donithorne ran with the gun in hand, and an arriving sheriff's deputy shot five rounds. Donithorne had one gunshot wound and was taken to a local hospital before being booked into the Ada County Jail.
Police said a carbon dioxide-powered BB gun was recovered from the scene.
According to the news release, Donithorne pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on certain personnel and eluding a police officer. On, Nov. 7 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a fixed five years.