Update: Bodycam footage from just over a year has been released of a man charging an officer with a knife after stating he wanted to kill him.
Nicole Blanchard, The Idaho Statesman
(TNS)
A Boise man will spend at least 20 years in prison for aggravated assault after threatening police with a knife, setting off a police shooting at the start of 2023. The officer who shot him was just cleared of any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday, 4th District Judge Peter Barton sentenced Harry Andrews, 49, to 25 years in prison. Andrews must serve 20 years before he’s eligible for parole. Last October, Andrews pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on law enforcement personnel with a deadly weapon enhancement.
According to a news release from the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, Andrews was walking westbound on the Interstate 184 Connector near the Flying Wye on Jan. 3, 2023. When police approached him, he refused to follow orders and ran at an officer with a knife in his hand. The prosecutor’s office said Andrews told police “I wanted to kill you” as he was taken into custody.
Sgt. Kirk Rush, an 18-year veteran of the force, fired his weapon, hitting and injuring Andrews. A critical incident report released Thursday said Rush fired two bullets, hitting Andrews in the right wrist and left shoulder.
After reviewing the incident report, Gem County Prosecutor Erick Thomson determined that Rush’s actions were justified.
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