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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Boise Cops Cleared In Shooting State Says Pair Acted Properly In Fatal Gunfight

Associated Press

After a long investigation, the attorney general’s office has concluded that two Boise police officers did nothing wrong in a fatal shooting last April.

Officers Brian Hagler and Jerry Lister exchanged fire with Ramon Aseguinolaza, 26, on April 11 following a traffic stop. Lister was struck in the foot by a bullet. The two officers hit Aseguinolaza six times, with Hagler firing the fatal bullet.

A transcript of the officers’ exchange with Aseguinolaza indicated the motorist was stopped originally because his vehicle had a broken tail light.

The transcript said Hagler called for backup after spotting bullets in the Aseguinolaza vehicle, even though the man denied that he had a gun.

After an investigation, the state concluded it appeared to be a clear case of self-defense.

Deputy Attorney General Michael Henderson sent a letter to Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower and City Attorney Susie Mimura on Tuesday concluding that Hagler and Lister acted appropriately and the shooting of Aseguinolaza was justified under state criminal laws.

Henderson says no criminal charges will be filed by the attorney general’s office. He is chief of the Criminal Law Division.

The report said Aseguinolaza had a record of mainly minor violations. It said he pleaded guilty and paid a small fine on a charge of assault or battery on a law officer in November of 1995. The inquiry covered only questions of possible criminal conduct.

The agency said it did not review or make a determination whether there was any violation of Boise Police Department internal procedures.

Aseguinolaza is one of seven people killed in shootings involving Boise police officers in about 20 months. There have been calls for creation of a police review commission, but the City Council and Mayor Brent Coles have been cool to the idea.