Deputies opened fire at a man who led them on a chase after he attempted to hijack multiple vehicles on I-84.
It happened Tuesday around 9 a.m. in Elmore County, Idaho in the eastbound lanes of the interstate near Hammett.
Police reported that it all started when dispatch received a call about a pickup truck, stolen by the owner’s neighbor. They identified the suspect as 34-year-old Matthew David Conrad of Hammett.
Conrad had a previous criminal record, with two misdemeanor cases pending for assault, leaving the scene of an accident and resisting officers. He also had numerous convictions since 2004. Conrad was on probation for five separate crimes including grand theft, burglary, aggravated assault on an officer.
Idaho State Police spotted the suspect and began their pursuit.
Conrad, who was armed, led police on a chase that ended after his truck went flying though a barbed wire fence.
He was located in a field north of the westbound lanes of I-84 near mile marker 110.
The suspect then fled on foot, heading south across westbound I-84 and onto the eastbound lanes. That’s when Conrad attempted to hijack a semi truck at gunpoint. The truck driver had slowed down because Conrad was on the freeway. The driver was able to speed off, unharmed. Then Conrad attempted to carjack a red car. That driver was also able to escape.
After the unsuccessful attempts, Conrad then tried to carjack an SUV, also at gunpoint. That driver was able to flee the scene. Police pursued him on foot. At that point, Conrad turned around and pointed a gun at officers.
Police opened fire at the man—killing him.
During the pursuit, Conrad’s girlfriend, Jeannie Adamson called dispatch and told them her boyfriend wasn’t dangerous but that he was scared. He suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
She explained, “He’s bipolar and schizophrenic and [was] seeing things that weren’t there.” She told KTVB that her boyfriend would not have done anything if police hadn’t persisted.
She knew that her boyfriend would attempt suicide by cop.
The incident shut down lanes in both directions for multiple hours during investigations. It reopened by 1:30 p.m. The unnamed police officers have been placed on administrative leave following agency policy.
Police were able to locate and speak to the driver of the semi truck and the car drivers who were victims of the attempted hijackings. Police are looking for any other witnesses.
Neither the officers nor the drivers were injured. The incident remains under investigation.