FILER, Idaho — The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office has released body camera footage of a deputy-involved shooting that happened near Filer back in December 2024.
On Dec. 19, 2024, at 4:42 p.m., dispatch sent a radio call requesting officers to respond to a house on North 2575 East, according to the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office’s review of the Critical Incident Task Force investigation. Officers were informed that a 17-year-old boy had stabbed his juvenile brother and his mother with a butcher knife.
The review states the stabbing victims barricaded themselves in a locked SUV in the driveway and the 17-year-old tried to break into the vehicle.
Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jacob Ballard was the first to arrive on the scene, according to the review. Deputy Ballard drew his gun after spotting the teenager with a shovel trying to break into the car. The teenager initially complied with Deputy Ballard’s verbal orders, lying on the ground.
The 17-year-old then “abruptly rose and rushed towards Ballard,” according to the review. As the teenager approached, the deputy fired two shots into the teenager’s chest.
The review states that emergency responders performed CPR, but the teenager died from his injuries. The mother and brother received medical care for their stab wounds and survived.
The Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office concluded that Ballard’s actions were justified and that “there is no reasonable likelihood of proving the elements of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt against the involved officer,” according to the review. The Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute criminal charges against Deputy Ballard.
“While we do everything in our power to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening, it is important that critical events such as this one be thoroughly investigated by outside, impartial agencies”, Twin Falls Sheriff Jack Johnson said in a statement. “I know the loss of this young man will continue to be felt by his family, friends, and our community.”
The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office reports the Internal Affairs Unit will investigate for any policy violations and the Shooting Review Board will evalaute the deputy’s tactics.