Compass Academy shooter sentenced to 25 years in prison

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Taylor Aughenbaugh, 20, will spend up to the next 25 years behind bars for his role in the 2024 Compass Academy parking lot shooting. On Monday, May 11, Seventh District Judge Jason Walker imposed the unified sentence, Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal announced.

The charges stem from the February 20, 2024, shooting, which was captured on police-recovered video. That footage shows a fight breaking out among a group in the parking lot, then gunshots ringing out. Police say Aughenbaugh fired at two men during the fight, hitting one victim in the upper back and the other in the leg.

Aughenbaugh ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in March as part of a plea agreement.

During the hearing, Neal argued for the 25-year unified sentence, while the defense requested a rider. Judge Walker ultimately sided with the State. Under the terms of the sentence, Aughenbaugh must serve at least five years of "fixed" time before he is eligible for parole.