Boise police: 1 officer remains in critical condition, 1 out of hospital

BOISE – 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.

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

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

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