VERNAL, Utah, April 28, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Highway Patrol has updated the condition of a Vernal Police officer shot while responding on a weapons call Saturday night. The have also released the name of the suspected shooter, reportedly hit by return fire.
The Vernal PD officer is “listed in stable condition,” the UHP statement says. He was shot after responding to a report of an intoxicated man threatening a neighbor with a firearm, according to an earlier Uintah County Sheriff statement.
The call was dispatched at 11:20 p.m. Saturday, and officers responded from the Vernal Police Department and the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office.
“When law enforcement arrived, the suspect opened fire on police and sheriff vehicles,” the sheriff’s statement says.
“A Vernal City Police Officer was struck multiple times as he attempted to exit his vehicle. That officer and responding sheriff deputies then returned fire, striking the suspect.”
The UPH statement names the suspect as Rookus R. Curry, 27.
“Officers returned gunfire as Curry fled the area. After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was located and taken into custody.
“The Vernal City officer and suspect have been transported to Wasatch Front Hospitals. The officer is currently listed in stable condition.”
The earlier statement from the Sheriff’s Office says the officer drove himself to a local hospital before being airlifted to the Wasatch Front hospital. It also says a Sheriff’s deputy sustained minor injuries, and was treated at a Vernal area hospital before being released.
Rookus’ condition was not released.
“This is still an active investigation and further details may be provided as they become available,” the UHP statement says.
Because officers fired on the suspect, the incident will be investigated as an officer-involved critical incident, with the usual protocol of offers who fired guns being put on paid administrative leave while an outside agency handles the investigation.
