Coroner releases identity in enticement suicide case
BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) -- The Ada County Sheriff's Office says a 37-year-old man killed himself after he was caught in an enticement sting with local police.The Ada County Sheriff's Office says the man believed he was meeting a 13-year-old girl behind the Hastings in southeast Boise for a sexual encounter.
On Thursday, the Ada County Coroner's office has identified the man as Kirk Wilkinson of Boise.
The sheriff's office says Wilkinson had been talking to who he thought was the teen girl since November. He then planned to meet the "girl" in the parking lot near Hastings.
When Wilkinson saw police, he attempted to drive away but he was boxed in behind the store. As police began walking toward his vehicle, that's when he pulled out a handgun and fired. He died at the scene.
Detectives say they started the investigation into the 37-year-old after he posted on ad on Craigslist soliciting sex from teen girls. The case is under investigation by the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force.
Investigators say Wednesday's incident was a very rare occurrence and note they always keep safety in mind when doing these types of operations in public.
"We always identify locations that we can mitigate those risks to the public and our officers so we take that into account every time we plan one of these investigations," said Captain Steve Bartlett of the Ada County Sheriff's Office.
But some folks KBOI 2News talked with say they think a sting like this shouldn't occur near so many businesses. Timberline High School is located across the street.
"That is something that they should do more in a park," said Nicole MacWilliams, who was shopping at the Eastgate Shopping Center.
Gabriel Garcia, another shopper, agreed.
"I guess it's kind of weird that they did it next to a school, maybe they could have taken it some place else."
Others say, however, that another location would not have prevented the outcome.
"I think what happened is a tragedy, but it's something that wouldn't occur very often," said Joseph Willert, another shopper. "the chance of it happening again would be very, very small."
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