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~ On October 13, 2025, Idaho Falls Police Officers were called to a residence on Lomax Street for a welfare check. The caller expressed concern for the resident, Wendy Burke, who had not been seen in some time and may have been harmed by a man staying at the residence.
Upon arrival at around 3:00 p.m., officers found the man outside the residence. However, his answers to their questions were evasive and he initially claimed to be working at the residence rather than living there. This raised concerns for Burke's safety and prompted officers to enter the residence to check on her.
Despite calling out her name and identifying themselves as police multiple times, officers received no response from inside the residence. It was then that an officer opened a closet door and found Burke inside, holding what appeared to be a handgun and pointing it at them. Fearing for their lives, the officer quickly exited the residence.
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In response to this dangerous situation, officers secured the area around the residence and called for backup from the Idaho Falls Police SWAT team. It was later discovered that Burke had two warrants from Bingham County - one misdemeanor and one felony.
The SWAT team arrived on scene and made several announcements using a public address system, instructing Burke to exit the residence as she was under arrest. However, she did not comply or respond. In order to safely apprehend her, SWAT introduced an irritant gas into the residence which prompted Burke to peacefully surrender.
After being advised of her Miranda Rights, Burke was interviewed by officers. She admitted that she did not want to go back to jail and believed that if she pointed a gun at them, they would shoot her and she would not have to face incarceration again. She also claimed that the gun was actually a toy.
Upon further investigation, officers found that it was indeed a replica gun made of wood and metal which could not function as an actual firearm. However, they also discovered a .22 caliber rifle in the bathroom that had not been there during their initial search of the residence. This led them to believe that Burke had retrieved the weapon during the time between their first search and her surrender.
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As it was confirmed that Burke was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms, officers obtained a search warrant to re-enter the residence and retrieve the rifle. The warrant was granted and the rifle was seized.
Wendy Burke, a 56-year-old resident of Idaho Falls, was arrested for her two Bingham County warrants as well as charges of Assault on Certain Personnel, Resisting and Obstructing, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. She was medically cleared by EMS at the scene before being booked into Bonneville County Jail.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day while carrying out their duties to protect and serve their communities. Thanks to swift action and cooperation between multiple departments, this situation was resolved without any injuries or harm to civilians or officers involved.
Upon arrival at around 3:00 p.m., officers found the man outside the residence. However, his answers to their questions were evasive and he initially claimed to be working at the residence rather than living there. This raised concerns for Burke's safety and prompted officers to enter the residence to check on her.
Despite calling out her name and identifying themselves as police multiple times, officers received no response from inside the residence. It was then that an officer opened a closet door and found Burke inside, holding what appeared to be a handgun and pointing it at them. Fearing for their lives, the officer quickly exited the residence.
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In response to this dangerous situation, officers secured the area around the residence and called for backup from the Idaho Falls Police SWAT team. It was later discovered that Burke had two warrants from Bingham County - one misdemeanor and one felony.
The SWAT team arrived on scene and made several announcements using a public address system, instructing Burke to exit the residence as she was under arrest. However, she did not comply or respond. In order to safely apprehend her, SWAT introduced an irritant gas into the residence which prompted Burke to peacefully surrender.
After being advised of her Miranda Rights, Burke was interviewed by officers. She admitted that she did not want to go back to jail and believed that if she pointed a gun at them, they would shoot her and she would not have to face incarceration again. She also claimed that the gun was actually a toy.
Upon further investigation, officers found that it was indeed a replica gun made of wood and metal which could not function as an actual firearm. However, they also discovered a .22 caliber rifle in the bathroom that had not been there during their initial search of the residence. This led them to believe that Burke had retrieved the weapon during the time between their first search and her surrender.
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As it was confirmed that Burke was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms, officers obtained a search warrant to re-enter the residence and retrieve the rifle. The warrant was granted and the rifle was seized.
Wendy Burke, a 56-year-old resident of Idaho Falls, was arrested for her two Bingham County warrants as well as charges of Assault on Certain Personnel, Resisting and Obstructing, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. She was medically cleared by EMS at the scene before being booked into Bonneville County Jail.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day while carrying out their duties to protect and serve their communities. Thanks to swift action and cooperation between multiple departments, this situation was resolved without any injuries or harm to civilians or officers involved.
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