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* (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) * Boise, Idaho — 26-year-old Ezra Smith was sentenced to prison for several felonies related to an incident where he used a stolen van to ram Boise Police patrol vehicles and threaten law enforcement. The Ada County District Judge Derrick O’Neill sentenced Smith to serve 25 years in prison, with 10 years fixed before he is eligible for parole. In July 2021, witnesses reported a man driving a van recklessly. Law enforcement spotted the van and learned it was reported as stolen. When Boise Police tried to contact the van’s driver, Smith eluded law enforcement and repeatedly rammed an occupied Boise Police patrol vehicle. He used the same van to threaten a different Boise Police Officer. The event ended in an officer-involved shooting where law enforcement ultimately apprehended the defendant. One officer fired his gun four times, while the other fired his gun six times. Smith was hit with six of the bullets. In a tort claim, Smith said that he suffered multiple face and body fractures and permanent nerve damage, which resulted in loss of sensation in the right side of his face and neck. He also has post-traumatic stress disorder, night terrors and anxiety, he said. Smith filed a $ million claim against BPD alleging excessive force. The claim states the police allegedly shot at him while unarmed. The Valley County prosecutor later determined the officers who shot Smith were justified in their actions. In March 2022, a jury convicted Smith of aggravated battery upon certain law enforcement personnel, aggravated assault upon certain law enforcement personnel, and found that he had used a deadly weapon in the commission of those crimes. Smith had entered guilty pleas prior to trial to the felony crimes of grand theft, eluding a police officer in a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, and the misdemeanor crime of attempted petit theft. All those crimes were charged in relation to this case. Smith has an extensive criminal history, and was on felony probation at the time of his arrest in these charges for the felony crimes of delivery a controlled substance and malicious injury to property. Donate to PoliceActivity: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Timestamps: 0:00 - Bodycam: Officer #1 1:14 - Bodycam: Officer #2
