Arrested: Shawn Schmidt, 35, Boise
Charges: Aggravated Assault (F) – 4 counts, Malicious Harassment (F) – 3 counts
On September 24, 2023, around 2:00 am Boise Police responded to a report of a man chasing a group of people while displaying a knife near 6th and Bannock. Officers quickly arrived, found the suspect near 8th and Bannock, and detained him. During an investigation, evidence showed that the suspect, Shawn Schmidt, threatened a group of individuals with a knife while calling them racial slurs. Evidence indicated that Mr. Schmidt took this action because of his perception regarding the race of several of the victims. Evidence also shows that the suspect used the knife to inflict superficial wounds on himself before police arrived. The suspect was taken to a local hospital and medically cleared before being booked into the Ada County Jail on seven felony charges.
"When BPD officers respond to serious incidents like this one, they work hard to resolve them peacefully, while protecting those in danger. Being safe, and feeling safe, while out in Boise is something our officers work hard to protect and crimes involving threats or assault against another person will not be tolerated, especially when those alleged crimes are motivated by hatred due to someone's race or ethnicity. Boise, as a community, is better than that and together we stand against hatred and violence," said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar.