GARDEN CITY -- Two officers with the Garden City Police Department were treated at a local hospital after a struggle with a suspect Thursday evening.
Police say the officers were called out to an apartment complex in the 400 block of East 42nd Street at about 6:30 p.m. for a report of a fight.
The person who called police told dispatchers that 43-year-old David Erickson was refusing to leave the complex, and had threatened staff and residents.
By the time officers arrived, Erickson had left the property, but was found on the Boise River Greenbelt just east of Veteran’s Memorial Parkway.
The officers said Erickson appeared drunk or on drugs, and was carrying a knife in his pocket. Police say he refused to follow officers' commands and acted erratically. When the officers tried to place the suspect in handcuffs, according to police, a fight broke out.
Erickson hurt both officers during the struggle, and tried to get the knife out of his pocket, police say.
The officers were ultimately able to keep Erickson from pulling out the knife, and put him in handcuffs.
Erickson was treated for minor injuries at a hospital, then booked into the Ada County Jail. Both officers were also hospitalized for treatment, but were released later Thursday night.
The department said the officers suffered scrapes and abrasions, but neither was cut or stabbed during the fight.
"We will not know the extent of their injuries or when they will be cleared to return back to work until they are evaluated by a medical specialist," Chief Rick Allen said in a press release. "This is a scary incident that could have ended tragically. As with every use of force, our department will conduct a thorough review. However, the initial assessment indicates that the officers did a good job attempting to control the situation which potentially prevented the tragedy.”
Erickson is facing two felony charges of battery on an officer, as well as misdemeanor charges of resisting and obstructing and trespassing. He is due to appear in court Friday afternoon.
