Boise promises ‘kindness for those fleeing violence’

Leaders and residents in Boise have been voicing strong solidarity with the city’s refugee population after a knifewielding attacker slashed nine people, including six children, at a birthday party Saturday in Idaho’s capital.

When suspect Timmy Kinner appeared in court Monday, word came that the object of the party, a 3-year-old girl, had died of her wounds. Kinner now faces a first-degree murder charge and other felonies in connection with the Saturday night attack.

Boise Police Chief William Bones said the children ranged in age from 3 to 12. All of the victims were from Syria, Iraq or Ethiopia.

“This was an attack on those who are most vulnerable – our children,” Bones said. “It’s untenable, unconscionable and is pure evil in my mind.”

Children who witnessed the attack outside an apartment complex that is home to families from around the world said they ran and hid in a closet.

“We saw a killer. We didn’t want to get stabbed,” 12-year-old Esrom Habte said. “We saw him saying bad words (and stabbing an adult) really hard and a lot of times.”

Esrom said he gathered two sisters and two other kids into the closet, locked the door behind them and called 911.

“We were waiting until they told us they caught him, and then we went outside,” he said.

Bones said Kinner, 30, of Los Angeles, was taken into custody within minutes, not far from the scene. He was booked into the Ada County Jail on Saturday on nine counts of aggravated battery and six counts of injury to a child.

Community groups have been raising money for the victims, and a candlelight vigil was planned Monday night.

Mayor David Bieter said the “senseless acts of one disturbed person” do not reflect the attitudes of city residents.

“Our city has long stood as a welcoming city, a place of safety and kindness for those fleeing violence and oppression in their homelands,” he said. “As Boiseans, we come together not only to condemn this vile act but also to embrace those among us seeking refuge from tyranny, suffering and war.

“It is who we are and who we will continue to be,” Bieter said.

Julianne Tzul, executive director of the International Rescue Committee in Boise, said her group was working with to provide counseling and support to refugees and other members of the community affected by the incident.