Officers open fire, kill suicidal man in Meridian apartment complex; neighbors left stunned
-
Meridian Police say fearing for their safety, four officers shot and killed 38-year-old Eric Dilworth late Monday night in an apartment complex Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com
video
Described by neighbors as a quiet, seclusive place to live, the tenants we spoke with Tuesday never could have imagined the Copper Canyon Apartments in Meridian would turn into a crime scene late Monday night.
Around 11:30 p.m. four Meridian Police officers responded to a call reporting a suicidal man inside one of the apartments. After arriving on scene, police say Eric Dilworth, 38, confronted officers with what Police Chief Jeff Lavey suspects was a knife.
At that point, officers feared for their safetya nd opened fire, killing Dilworth.
The incident left neighbor Courtney Krause shocked.
"This shouldn't happen in a place like this," Krause said. "This is a quiet neighborhood, people stick to themselves and it's a real safe community here. I'm raising a son here because it's safe."
Thomas Goehering's girlfriend lives next door to the victim.
"I never expected anything like this to touch my life really," Goehering siad. "It's always something you see on the news and never expect to be a part of."
Chief Lavey says none of the members of his squad expect to be a part of a situation like this either.
"We train for it," Lavey said, "we prepare for it, sometimes it becomes necessary, but it's something we wish we never have to do."
Following protocol after an incident such as this, the officers who shot Dilworth, are now on leave from the force for several days.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.