Pursuit ends with deadly officer-involved shooting

Summary

The FBI says one man was killed and another critically injured by an Idaho State Police officer following a traffic stop that turned into a pursuit and confrontation; FBI says both men, Randall Vernon Ellenwood, who was killed, and Ricardo Daniel Rodriguez, are members of the Nez Perce Tribe.

Story Published: May 18, 2009 at 9:44 PM PST

Story Updated: May 19, 2009 at 5:45 PM PST

CULDESAC – One man is dead and another in critical condition following an officer-related shooting late Monday afternoon.

According to FBI spokesperson Juan Becerra, an Idaho State Police officer attempted to stop the two men on U.S. 95 for a traffic violation, but the men eluded the officer and a pursuit ensued.

It ended at a residence at 22021 Cottonwood Creek Road just off of the Gifford-Reubens Road. Becerra said it was there that a confrontation took place resulting in the use of deadly force by the ISP officer.

Becerra said that Randall Vernon Ellenwood was killed. Ricardo Daniel Rodriguez was transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition Tuesday morning.

The ISP trooper's name will not be released.

With both victims reportedly being tribal members and the location of the shooting occurring on tribal land, the FBI responded and is the lead agency in the investigation.

Tuesday morning, FBI agents finished processing the scene of the shooting and recovered evidence.

FBI agents remain in the area to conduct additional investigation.

The FBI said, as is customary with ISP internal policy, ISP will conduct its own internal inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the shooting.

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