Authorities in Meridian, Idaho, are investigating what police have described as an intentional act of violence after a suspect stole an ambulance and drove it into a building leased by the Department of Homeland Security.

The incident began around 11:10 p.m. local time on Wednesday, February 18, when an ambulance belonging to Canyon County Paramedics was taken from an ambulance bay at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center. Local outlet KBOI first reported details of the theft.

According to investigators, after stealing the vehicle, the suspect retrieved gas cans that had been placed in nearby vegetation or bushes.

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Roughly an hour later, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Thursday, the suspect drove the ambulance directly into the St. Luke’s Portico North building.

The Portico North building is owned by St. Luke’s Health System and serves as administrative office space.

The facility has recently been leased to the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Authorities said ICE agents are not stationed at the location and the space is not used for processing activities.

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After crashing the ambulance into the building’s lobby, the suspect poured gasoline or another accelerant inside and around the vehicle.

Police said the individual then attempted to ignite the accelerant but was unable to do so before law enforcement officers and first responders arrived on scene.

The suspect fled on foot and has not been apprehended.

No fire was started, and no injuries were reported. Authorities confirmed that no members of the public, first responders, or building occupants were harmed.

The structure was unoccupied at the time of the crash, and the ambulance did not have paramedics inside when it was stolen.

The ambulance sustained significant damage and was largely totaled as a result of the collision.

The impact caused broken glass and structural damage at the point of entry into the lobby area. St. Luke’s Health System stated that the incident has not disrupted patient services at any of its facilities.

Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea addressed the incident during a Thursday press conference, calling it deliberate.

“This was absolutely an act of violence, and if the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt this building would have burned, putting the lives of first responders and others at risk,” Basterrechea said.

The chief also referenced the broader context surrounding the building’s lease agreement with DHS.

“There has been a lot of rhetoric surrounding the Department of Homeland Security leasing office space at this location,” he said during the press conference.

Idaho-based activist Ryan Spoon reported that three days before the attack, local groups Babe Vote and The Idaho 97 Project issued what he described as a “call to action” concerning the building’s lease to DHS.

Basterrechea emphasized the seriousness of the crime and the impact on emergency services.

“We want to emphasize that this was a serious criminal act. The theft and destruction of an emergency vehicle not only created a risk to responding personnel, but it also temporarily removed a critical medical resource from the community,” he told reporters.

Authorities described the perpetrator as a single suspect. As of the latest update, the individual has not been publicly identified and remains at large.

Despite that, law enforcement officials said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the broader Meridian community.

The Meridian Police Department is leading the investigation. Federal and state agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Homeland Security, are coordinating with local authorities as the case continues.

Officials have not released additional details about the suspect or potential motives.

Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact law enforcement as they work to locate the individual responsible.

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