SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, April 3, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) – The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has named the man shot and killed last week during a confrontation with a Utah Highway Patrol trooper on northbound I-15 near 3500 South.
According to a DPS news release, the “individual who was involved in the Officer-Involved Critical Incident (OICI) on Friday, March 27, 2026, has been identified as Sayed Mousavi, a 29-year-old male from Sandy, Utah.
“As previously released, the incident occurred at approximately 4:56 pm when a UHP trooper’s vehicle was struck by Mousavi, who was traveling northbound on I-15 near 3500 South,” the news release said.
After the vehicle stopped, the trooper made contact with Mousavi, who subsequently brandished a knife, leading to the trooper discharging their firearm.
Mr. Mousavi was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The UHP trooper was uninjured.
Court records indicate Mousavi spent 250 days in jail after being convicted of making terrorist threats to Sandy City police following his arrest for fleeing officers while driving a stolen vehicle in 2024.
After being detained, police said a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a note stating, “Pressure Israel to cease fire with
killing significant jews (sic) in Gaza,” according to court documents.
“And lets take non (sic) hostage. Only soldiers/male government. Conduct assignation of leaders. Attack Military sites with most expensive bombs. Plant bombs inside Z-jets.”
While being taken to jail, “Mousavi stated he was going to kill Americans and kill the U.S.A. and to watch the news in two weeks to a month if Officer Biggs did not believe him,” the probable cause statement said.
“Mousavi then stated that he was going to buy guns and shoot up the Sandy Police Department.”
Although he was convicted and sentenced to prison on multiple felony counts for threatening mass destruction and failing to stop at the command of police, his sentence was suspended with credit granted for time served, according to court documents.
SAYED ZEINULLAH MOUSAVI
DAO#: 24.019785
Page 3
MOUSAVI drove by Officer Johnson again, parked the vehicle and exited. Officer Johnson activated
his emergency lights a second time and told MOUSAVI to stop. MOUSAVI gave Officer Johnson
the middle finger, got back in the vehicle and left the area at a high rate of speed.
The statement of Sandy Police Officer Biggs that he observed the vehicle nearby and
activated his emergency lights, but MOUSAVI did not stop. As MOUSAVI continued to drive away,
Officer Biggs discontinued the pursuit but continued to follow the vehicle. A short time later,
MOUSAVI’s vehicle was disabled, and he was taken into custody.
In a records check, it was found that MOUSAVI’s driver’s license was suspended.
In a search of the vehicle, a paper with writing stating, “Pressure Israel to cease fire with
killing significant jews in Gaza. And lets take non hostage. Only soldiers/male government. Conduct
assignation of leaders. Attack Military sites with most expensive bombs. Plant bombs inside Z-jets.”
was found.
Officer Biggs then transported MOUSAVI to jail, and MOUSAVI stated he was going to kill
Americans and kill the U.S.A. and to watch the news in two weeks to a month if Officer Biggs did
not believe him. MOUSAVI then stated that he was going to buy guns and shoot up the Sandy Police
Department.
The investigation is ongoing and is led by the Salt Lake County OICI Protocol Team 4, headed by the West Jordan Police Department.
No further details regarding the incident will be released at this time, the news release said.
