BOISE, Idaho — The Twin Falls County prosecutor will decide next month whether Boise police were justified in shooting a man 21 times during a standoff in June. The man spent more than two months in a hospital and now can't pay his $1 million in medical bills.
The city of Boise has refused to pay those bills.
Boise police say Dorian Michael Willes, 30, was shot after he came out of hiding and pointed a soldering gun at officers.
Willes spent more than two months recovering in Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.
Prosecutor Grant Loebs said he recently received a report from the Meridian police, who led the investigation conducted by the Critical Incident Task Force.
"It's all proceeding quite well," he told the Idaho Statesman. "They did a very thorough investigation."
Hospital officials question whether Boise should pay at least the first week of treatment costs because Willes was in police custody.
Boise officials said Willes' actions brought about his injuries and he is therefore responsible for the medical bills.
In June, Willes was charged with felony malicious injury to property. Loebs said he will decide if Willes should face additional charges.
The shooting occurred June 5 after Boise police responded to a call of suspected drug activity. Officers said they chased a man believed to be Willes through an apartment building as he broke between units and burrowed through ceilings. Police said they found Willes in the basement and fired after he pointed a soldering gun at them; they believed it was a weapon.
The Critical Incident Task Force investigates whenever an officer is involved in a shooting or deadly force is used.
Local police agencies take turns running the task force, and an outside prosecutor examines the findings.