The Idaho Falls Police Department was called to the Compass Academy parking lot at 955 Garfield Street around 1:00 a.m., on February 12th, for reports of a shooting. With very little information about the frantic events beyond the knowledge that it involved “multiple people”, the officers appeared to a horrific scene. According to the press release from Idaho Falls police, one person was found dead on scene with others injured. EMS arrived on the scene and took two other injured individuals to the hospital. They apprehended a fourth who was driven to the hospital in one of the cars involved in the shooting. Devan Johnson was hospitalized at EIRMC in an intensive care unit due to gunshot wounds in the chest and knee.
According to IFPD, everyone involved, barring the three injured, fled the scene. However, police claim that everyone involved has been identified. The police have identified the two main perpetrators, 19-year-old Gabriel Perkins and 18-year-old Taylor Aughenbaugh. The police believe these two individuals were the ones that carried guns to the incident and proceeded to fire them. Aughenbaugh is facing two counts of murder charges, while Perkins is charged with murder charges, as well as a felony for leaving the scene of an injury accident. The Idaho Falls Police Department stated that although the shooting happened in front of the high school, they in no way believe there is any danger to the public, though neighboring schools were temporarily closed for a day to err on the side of caution. The IFPD also admitted they are aware of a supposed snapchat video shared with them that showed the entire incident.
Murder has a massive impact on economics in which families may no longer be able to cope financially, homicide can create a sense of insecurity in society, when high crime rates occur in countries with weak, ineffective, and corrupt criminal justice systems, can make a contribution to undermining social and economic development. Which brings concerns about the rising crime rate in Idaho Falls, which will eventually leave the community fearing for their safety.
