SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police released body camera footage of a deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred during a volatile domestic violence call, KSL reported.
The incident began on May 27 after the suspect broke into his ex-wife’s home where she had been hiding with her teenage children. The woman, who had a protective order against the suspect, called 911 shortly after midnight to report the break-in.
“My husband is breaking into my house,” she told the dispatcher. “He has threatened to kill me.”
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As the situation escalated, she began whispering, noting the suspect had gasoline and was threatening to set himself and the house on fire. “Please hurry,” she said twice during the call.
Police arrived quickly, surrounding the house. Officers confirmed the suspect had entered through a broken basement window.
Video released on June 13 shows officers forcing entry through both front and back doors. Upon entering the kitchen area, they found the suspect holding a large knife.
Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, the suspect advanced toward the officers, prompting them to fire. He was struck by multiple rounds and fell to the floor still clutching the knife.
Officers then evacuated the ex-wife and her children from a locked bedroom.
“This appears to have been a fast-moving, unpredictable and dangerous situation,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said in a prepared statement. “Our officers made a split-second decision to protect themselves and others in the home under extremely volatile circumstances involving a potentially life-threatening call.”
