Idaho State Police is nearing the end of its investigation into the fatal shooting of an Adams County rancher.
“Idaho State Police detectives have worked diligently on this investigation over the course of the past four months and will be handing the results of the investigation over to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, who is acting as the special prosecutor in this case, in the coming days,” said ISP Captain Bill Gardiner in a news release issued Wednesday.
“We want the individuals, families and community to know that this investigation has been at the top of our priority list and we are eager for its conclusion. As with all investigations, the work must be thoroughly and accurately completed. We appreciate the patience displayed by all involved.”
Two Adams County sheriff’s deputies, Brian S. Wood and Cody W. Roland, shot and killed Jack Yantis on U.S. 95 near his ranch. Up until now, state and Adams County law enforcement officials have told the public little other than that weapons were fired.
During the course of the investigation, ISP detectives interviewed 42 people, including many who were interviewed multiple times, according to Gardiner.
Detectives collected and examined 28 items of evidence, which were sent to four different laboratories for forensic analysis. ISP is still waiting for two reports from forensic laboratories.
“ISP has been informed that the analysis by both labs is complete and that the reports will arrive at any time,” states the news release.
Separately, an FBI investigation into the shooting for possible federal civil rights violations is pending.
On Nov. 1, a car struck one of Yantis’ bulls on U.S. 95 near Council, injuring the occupants. Emergency responders, including the deputies, went to the scene. Adams County dispatch had called Yantis to take care of his mortally wounded animal.
After Yantis, 62, was shot, his wife, Donna, who witnessed the shooting, had a heart attack and was hospitalized. She is now recovering at home.
Full text of the ISP news release
On Nov. 1, 2015, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office requested the Idaho State Police to investigate a shooting involving two deputies.
The incident occurred after a vehicle crash on US 95 involving a bull owned by local rancher, Jack Yantis, 62 of Council. During the incident Mr. Yantis was fatally shot.
Idaho State Police detectives have worked diligently on this investigation over the course of the past four months and will be handing the results of the investigation over to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, who is acting as the special prosecutor in this case, in the coming days.
“We want the individuals, families and community to know that this investigation has been at the top of our priority list and we are eager for its conclusion,” said Captain Bill Gardiner.
“As with all investigations, the work must be thoroughly and accurately completed. We appreciate the patience displayed by all involved.”
Over the course of the investigation Idaho State Police detectives have interviewed forty-two people. Many of these individuals were interviewed multiple times. Detectives gathered and comprehensively examined all evidence available at the scene of the incident. The twenty-eight items of evidence collected were sent to four different laboratories for forensic analysis. There are still two reports from forensic laboratories that detectives are waiting on to close the investigation. ISP has been informed that the analysis by both labs is complete and that the reports will arrive at any time, however a firm date has not been provided.
When the final two reports are received, ISP will officially turn the case over to the Attorney General’s Office.
ISP has worked with the AG’s Office during the course of the investigation in an effort to speed the investigation along as quickly as possible. ISP will inform the public when its investigation has concluded.
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