The man who was shot and killed by SWAT team members on Tuesday afternoon had a violent background, including drugs, beatings and repeated probation violations.
Kevin Boozer was killed inside a southwest side home because police said he threatened his girlfriend with a knife.
Boozer’s problems started after he missed a meeting with his probation officer earlier on Tuesday, 10 Investigates’ Paul Aker reported.
“He was not a good guy, but he wasn’t the worst,” said Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Mark Hummer, who sentenced Boozer for beating his girlfriend last year.
Boozer, 28, then broke his probation in April for using drugs. He was jailed for two weeks, Aker reported. A court transcript showed how Boozer’s attorney argued to avoid more jail time. In the document, the attorney said that Boozer wanted to “get back in compliance, restart domestic violence counseling and there won't be any more issues with him."
"We kept probation going in the hope he could end up doing his probation without further incident,” Hummer said. “That didn’t happen, obviously.”
Judge Hummer also said that since Boozer had not violated probation due to a violent act, it was acceptable to continue his probation.
In February, Boozer picked up a burglary charge that was later dropped for forcing his way into the home where Tuesday’s shooting occurred.
10 Investigates also pulled court records of a 2007 assault. Boozer, who was 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 255 pounds, beat his girlfriend so badly that he chipped three teeth.
He finished 37 weeks of counseling but stopped early when he broke probation for drunken-driving. His sister told 10TV News that bath salts likely drove Boozer to Tuesday’s shooting.
A friend of Boozers also said bath salts were involved.
“(Kevin made) stupid choices, but (he was) the best guy ever,” Rebecca Six said. “(This happened) all because of stupid bath salts.”
Probation officers said that they kept a close watch on Boozer, saying he attended church on Sunday and just got a job.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
May 23, 2012: Investigators Working To Determine Events Leading To SWAT Shooting, Killing Man Who Held Girlfriend At Knifepoint
May 22, 2012: SWAT Team Shoots, Kills Man Who Allegedly Assaulted Woman During Domestic Dispute
Man Shot, Killed By SWAT Officers Had Numerous Incidents With Law
10 Investigates uncovers new information about a man who was shot and killed in a standoff with police.