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Update: Suspect in Boise mall shooting has died, police say

Police closed part of N. Milwaukee St. near its intersection with Emerald St. as they continue to investigate a shooting that left two people dead and four others injured as of Monday afternoon. A single bullet hole could be seen in the driver's side window of the white Ford SUV.
James Dawson
/
Boise State Public Radio
Police closed part of N. Milwaukee St. near its intersection with Emerald St. as they continue to investigate a shooting that left two people dead and four others injured as of Monday afternoon. A single bullet hole could be seen in the driver's side window of the white Ford SUV.

The suspect in Boise’s mass shooting Monday has died, according to police.

An Ada County Coroner's report identified him as 27-year-old Jacob Bergquist. Police described him as a white man dressed in black and carrying multiple guns the day of the shooting.

“This was an individual that acted cowardly and acted alone and there is no threat to the community,” Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee said at a press conference Tuesday.

No motive is currently known, though police said the suspect was known to them, as well as mall authorities for his past behavior.

Lee said his past conduct didn't rise to the level of arresting him.

“They were generally what could be categorized as disorderly conduct sort of calls in nature, trespass calls in nature, for sort of disruptive behavior,” Lee said.

The rampage at the Boise Towne Square mall left two others dead, according to law enforcement. The victims were Jo Acker, a 26-year-old security guard from Caldwell who died at the scene and was a transgender woman according to her Facebook profile, and 49-year-old Roberto Padilla Arguelles of Rupert, who succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Two women, a 23-year-old and a 52-year-old, were also injured during the shooting while inside the mall, but are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Later, when the shooter left the mall and began a shootout with police, a 68-year-old woman was shot while inside her vehicle. She also has non-life-threatening injuries.

It all began around 1:50 p.m. Monday. Ada County dispatch received several calls reporting shots fired at the mall.

Boise police said the suspect fired multiple rounds in the building after shooting and killing Acker. They said he then shot multiple rounds into the floor, which injured two women.

In all, police said they found 18 shell casings in the building.

Another man was taken to the hospital and treated for a fall he had while leaving Boise Towne Square.

Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee gives an initial briefing to media late Monday afternoon related to a shooting at the Boise Towne Square mall earlier in the day.
James Dawson
/
Boise State Public Radio
Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee gives an initial briefing to media late Monday afternoon related to a shooting at the Boise Towne Square mall earlier in the day.

Minutes after receiving the first call, officers said they saw the suspect fleeing the scene and exchanged gunfire. That’s when police said the 68-year-old woman was injured while inside her vehicle.

Authorities searched a residence on Fry Street in Boise and said there’s a “multi-state effort” underway to learn more about the suspect.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean thanked first responders Monday for reacting so quickly to the incident, as well as shopkeepers who protected their customers during the shooting.

“You showed in a tough and chaotic moment how much you care and what you’re willing to do to support and care for strangers,” McLean said.

What appears to be a bullet hole in the driver's side window of a vehicle blocked off by police on N. Milwaukee St. following a shooting in the area of the Boise Towne Square mall Monday afternoon.
James Dawson
/
Boise State Public Radio
What appears to be a bullet hole in the driver's side window of a vehicle blocked off by police on N. Milwaukee St. following a shooting in the area of the Boise Towne Square mall Monday afternoon.

She said her heart went out to victims and their family members, including those who had a loved one sheltering in place at the mall.

“No one should have to experience that pain and trauma,” McLean said.

Brookfield Properties, the company that manages Boise Towne Square, said in a statement that the mall will be closed Tuesday out of respect for the community.

“We are heartbroken and are working closely with the Boise Police Department as they investigate the circumstances that led to this terrible tragedy,” said Lindsay Kahn, director of public relations for Brookfield Properties.

Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.

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I cover politics and a bit of everything else for Boise State Public Radio. Outside of public meetings, you can find me fly fishing, making cool things out of leather or watching the Seattle Mariners' latest rebuilding season. If you have a tip, please get in touch!

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