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Investigators: Woman shot by Boise police pointed BB gun at officers

In earlier reports, police have said that Amber Lea Dewitt, of Caldwell, had "produced a weapon" and pointed it at officers on October 20.
Credit: Boise Police
Photo of the BB gun police say Dewitt pointed at them (top) and a photo provided by police of a similar-looking 9mm handgun (bottom).

BOISE, Idaho — Investigators say that a woman who was shot and killed by officers earlier this week pointed a realistic-looking BB gun at police before they opened fire.

In earlier reports, police have said that Amber Lea Dewitt, of Caldwell, had "produced a weapon" and pointed it at officers on October 20.

"As the officers spoke with her she continued to fidget and reach for items in the vehicle and inside her purse," Boise Police said in a statement after the incident. "The woman did not comply with officers requests to stop reaching for items in the car and reports indicate she eventually produced a weapon and pointed it at one of the officers." 

On Thursday, the Critical Incident Task Force, being led by the Meridian Police Department, said that because of the discussion going on in the community about the nature of the weapon, they have decided to release more details to the public.

Investigators provided a photo of the BB gun they say Dewitt had and another photo of a 9mm handgun with a similar blue paint scheme.

No other details were released by the task force on Thursday.

The shooting happened around 6 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 20 near North Clover Drive and West State Street in Boise.

Police had received a call about a woman banging on doors and walking through people's yards looking for the people who stole from her while she was in jail. 

When the police arrived, they confronted Dewitt while she was sitting in her car. Police say that is when she pulled out a weapon and pointed it at officers. The police opened fire and killed her, according to the CITF.

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