‘I hope you don’t prove me wrong:’ Judge hands down sentence for man shot by Kuna police
Months ago, Jeremiah Bainbridge was hospitalized after he was shot and injured by police. On Monday, the 24-year-old told an Ada County Courtroom that the “near-death experience” helped him learn who he wants to be and what he plans to do with his life.
“I want to start by saying how deeply I am sorry to you, to my family and to the community,” Bainbridge told the judge during his sentencing. “I know my actions I made were wrong and affected a lot of people.”
“Every day I see my scars and it reminds me of the pain I’ve caused myself and others,” he continued.
Bainbridge was shot and injured by the Kuna Police Department in August after he led law enforcement on multiple pursuits into Kuna and back to Meridian, according to a news release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the Kuna Police Department under a contract with the city.
He pleaded guilty to two felonies as part of a plea deal with the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office: a domestic violence-related battery charge and eluding a police officer in a motor vehicle. The other changes, grand theft and robbery, were dismissed.
Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Haws argued during Monday’s sentencing that it was “one of the worst” eluding cases he’s seen and asked the judge to place Bainbridge on a maximum yearlong sentencing option, typically referred to as a rider. It is when the judge retains jurisdiction of the case instead of handing it over to the prison system. If the defendant performs well, they can be placed on probation instead of going to prison.
“This is a case where punishment and retribution is appropriate,” Haws said.
But 4th District Judge Patrick Miller disagreed with the prosecution’s recommendation, instead falling closer in line with the defense’s request for probation. He said Bainbridge could be rehabilitated in the community, adding that additional prison time would mainly serve as punishment.
Instead of retaining jurisdiction, Miller sentenced Bainbridge to 90 days in the Ada County Jail and required him to complete the Active Behavioral Change program, a course that uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people change their behavior. Once Bainbridge completes the program he’ll be considered for early release and be placed on probation. He’ll remain on probation until February 2032, Miller added.
“I hope you don’t prove me wrong,” Miller said. “I hope you don’t prove (to) me that that probation was a mistake and that you need to serve time in prison.”
If Bainbridge violates his probation he could end up behind bars again, as Miller underlaid a maximum 10-year prison sentence, which was a part of the plea deal. Specifically, Bainbridge could be sentenced to at least four years in prison with another six years that he could spend in prison, on parole or both.
Since he’s been incarcerated in the Ada County Jail, Bainbridge said he’s been able to work toward his degree and has a job waiting for him once he’s out of custody. He added that he’s strengthened his relationship with his family and fiancee.
He also has been attending church and plans to get baptized. Bainbridge said he’s not looking for sympathy but asked for forgiveness and the opportunity to get out of custody so that he can spend time with his family, as his mother and grandmother deal with health issues.
“They need me more than ever right now,” he said, “and I’ll do anything to be there before it’s too late.”
Whether lethal force was necessary is ‘very much in question,’ defense attorney says
Miller called the incident a “crazy situation.”
The incident started when the Meridian Police Department responded to a “reported fight situation” near the intersection of South Eagle and East Overland roads after Bainbridge and his then-girlfriend got into an argument, according to prior reporting. The prosecution said that his girlfriend wanted to get out of the car because she didn’t feel safe and that Bainbridge ripped the car keys out of her pocket and drove away in her vehicle.
He led law enforcement on a pursuit and was eventually stopped by Kuna officers after driving onto the westbound ramp of Interstate 84 and Meridian Road when police used a pursuit intervention technique, typically referred to as a PIT maneuver. The vehicle was stopped in the interstate’s median and police said officers issued “verbal commands” before shooting Bainbridge.
Three police officers shot at him though it’s unclear how many bullets struck him. Bainbridge was hospitalized for weeks before being booked into the Ada County Jail.
Miller said that law enforcement had to use an “extreme measure” to pull Bainbridge over, which put the community at risk. He also said the officers’ belief that Bainbridge had a firearm likely contributed to the use of deadly force.
Bainbridge’s actions created “horrendous danger” to the public because several of the officers’ bullets flew into Roaring Springs Water Park, he said.
“Right or wrong, law enforcement believed they had to protect themselves, and in the process created a huge risk to others,” Miller added.
Bainbridge’s Idaho Falls-based defense attorney John Malek said his client was accepting responsibility for his actions and knew fleeing from police “was wrong” and “created the dangerous situation.”
But he added that whether lethal force was necessary that day is “very much in question.”
Boise police were leading the outside investigation of Bainbridge’s shooting through Ada County’s Critical Incident Task Force. Haley Williams, a spokesperson for the police department, told the Statesman by email they completed the investigation in October. It was then forwarded to the Valley County Prosecutor’s Office for review, according to the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office.
This was one of 12 shootings that occurred in the Treasure Valley in 2024, according to a database link maintained by the Idaho Statesman. It was the only shooting Kuna Police Department was involved in last year, while the Ada County Sheriff’s Office was involved in three shootings, all of which were fatal.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM.
