WARNING: Some of the media in this article includes blood and profane language, which may be considered graphic.
A family of rafters that filed a civil lawsuit against three individuals for their alleged roles in a violent encounter on the banks of the Payette River in August of 2025 has denied allegations listed in a subsequent counterclaim filed by the defendants in the case.
The original civil suit claims that Boise County Commissioner Darrell "Lindy" Lindstrom and fellow defendants Lloyd Asher and Bo Fisher threatened, harassed, and ultimately attacked the plaintiffs, listed as Abby M. Beard, Treyson Beard, and Abby's daughter, identified in court documents as T.B. Photos from the incident demonstrate that some of the plaintiffs suffered blunt force injuries and knife wounds.
WATCH: Jet skiers, others face off in the water of the Payette River
In the counterclaim, Lindstrom claimed that he was the one attacked along with others in his party, some of whom were riding jet skis. The defendants asked that a judge dismiss the case altogether.
WATCH: Two individuals approach the Beard family. Abby Beard brandishes a knife before Darrell Lindstrom enters the melee
WATCH: An unidentified man is bloodied following the incident
The defendants dispute many allegations listed in the original civil suit and instead contend that Abby Beard threatened Lindstrom with a knife.
Lindstrom claimed that he tried to disarm Abby Beard, during which he was struck by T.B. and Treyson Beard. The defendants allege that the three plaintiffs are guilty of assault, battery, and negligence. The defendants seek monetary damages in excess of $10,000 in addition to compensation for attorney fees and associated costs.
RELATED | Commissioner accused in Payette River stabbing says he was assaulted, files counterclaim
The original lawsuit, filed by the Beard family, seeks more than $100,000 in damages from Lindstrom and the other defendants.
The attorney representing the Beard family, Terri Pickens, has shared images and video of the altercation with Idaho News 6. In bodycam footage, Lindstrom is seen with a beer in hand, talking to a Boise County Sheriff's deputy about a previous run-in with the Boise County Sheriff's Department.
In the footage, the deputy says, "I stopped you and your, your wife over at the Longbranch [Saloon], remember? You guys had the kind of argument going on, and I put you in handcuffs, and I let you go." Shortly thereafter, he is heard telling the commissioner, “You’re too big for me to turn my back on.”
At one point, the deputy asks Lindstrom, "You guys drinking Keystone?" to which Lindstrom answers, "It's the best beer ever." The body cam appears to be shut off shortly after the comment.
Idaho News 6 reached out to the Boise County Sheriff's Office for comment, and they responded with the following statement: "At this time, there is still a pending Attorney General’s investigation for some other issues and I am limited in the response I can give. Broadly speaking, the Boise County Sheriff’s Office strives to maintain the standard of objective community based policing, which includes proactive relationship building and conflict de-escalation with the Boise County community that we serve. That interaction shows our continued commitment, as the Sheriff’s Office would act the same way no matter who it is, especially given our lack of financial resources to more fully staff law enforcement coverage."
The Idaho Attorney General's Office subsequently stated that it is investigating allegations of interference with a law enforcement investigation at the request of Boise County.
WATCH: Darrell Lindstrom speaks with Boise County Sheriff's deputies following the altercation
In their response to the counterclaim, the plaintiffs deny nearly all of the allegations listed therein, with the only exceptions related to some details regarding the altercation.
Both parties have demanded a jury trial, which is now set for Dec. 8, 2027. A pre-trial conference will be held on Nov. 12, 2027.
Read the entire Answer and Counterclaim below:
