On May 26, 2017, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Twin Falls
Police Officers were dispatched to the Creekside Trailer Court, at 146 Addison
Avenue West, to a report of a man who had been shot. During the investigation, police learned that
Billy Duane Johnson, 45, of Twin Falls fatally shot William Newton Scott, 38,
of Twin Falls during an altercation outside Mr. Johnson’s home and
business.
The Twin Falls Police Department and Twin Falls County
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office worked together reviewing all of the evidence to
include suspect and witness interviews.
After an extensive review of all the evidence, Twin Falls Police and
Twin Falls County Prosecutors concluded that Mr. Johnson acted in self-defense
under Idaho law.
“A person has the right to use deadly force when he
reasonably believes it is necessary to defend himself, his family or other
persons, or his home from attack,” said Grant Loebs, Twin Falls County
Prosecuting Attorney, “we concluded after looking at all the evidence that this
was what happened in this case.”
Through the investigation, Twin Falls Police found that the
deceased, Mr. Scott, went to the address on Addison Avenue West with another
adult male and a teenage male to confront Mr. Johnson. During the confrontation Mr. Scott attacked
Mr. Johnson who, during a short struggle, used his gun to shoot Mr. Scott,
which resulted in Scott’s death at the scene.
“This event is an example of several poor decisions leading
to tragedy. Our agency investigated this event thoroughly and the
evidence supports that Mr. Johnson acted in self-defense when he shot Mr. Scott.
The Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney was consulted every step of the way
during this investigation,” said Chief Craig Kingsbury of the Twin Falls Police
Department.
As a result of this investigation Mr. Johnson was charged
with Felon in Possession of a Firearm. A
jury trial has been scheduled for later this year. Mr. Johnson is, of course, innocent of
that charge until he has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Craig
Stotts
Lieutenant
Twin Falls Police Department
321 2nd Avenue East
Twin Falls, ID 83301
cstotts@tfid.org
208-735-7263