In a recent development, the Boise Police officer involved in the shooting of 22-year-old Payton Wasson in June 2023 has been exonerated of any wrongdoing by the Gooding County Prosecuting Attorney, with no charges set to be filed.
Gooding County Prosecuting Attorney Trevor Misselding explained, “The facts of this case indicate that Wasson was attempting to flee from a suspected drug transaction, made a move toward the gun in his waistband when confronted by officers, proceeded to evade police while brandishing a firearm as he ran, disregarded lawful orders to halt and drop his weapon, and was advancing towards a densely populated area when the BPD officer discharged his weapon.”
The decision to clear the officer, C. Feldner, was reached following a comprehensive analysis of the law, scrutiny of video evidence, and a thorough review of the findings from the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force (CITF) investigation.
Misselding concluded that Officer Feldner’s actions were justified in the shooting of Wasson. The prosecutor affirmed that the officer “had reasonable grounds to believe that Wasson, with his unlawful and potentially dangerous behavior, posed an ongoing and immediate threat to law enforcement officers who were carrying out their duties lawfully, as well as a threat to the general public as he fled, armed, along a public thoroughfare.”
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The fatal incident occurred on June 24, 2023, when Boise Police officers were investigating a scenario involving individuals and a vehicle linked to suspected gang activity and drug sales.
The vehicle’s owner, Mario Garza, who was on parole, was identified by the officers. While the events between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. remain unclear, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar disclosed that Garza returned to his vehicle over an hour later with Wasson and another individual.
Following a search that led to the discovery of fentanyl pills on Garza, he was taken into custody. Subsequently, Wasson and the other individual exited the vehicle with a backpack and a firearm upon their return.
Upon seeing Wasson flee, officers initiated pursuit. Chief Winegar recounted that they instructed Wasson to halt and discard the weapon, commands which were disregarded. Shortly thereafter, Officer Feldner fired at Wasson, resulting in a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Wasson was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation has brought new details to light, shedding further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the altercation between law enforcement and the late Payton Wasson.