OGDEN, Utah, Oct. 27, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — Police in Ogden are investigating an officer-involved shooting that sent a suicidal 18-year-old man to the hospital Tuesday night.
Ogden Police Chief Randy Watt said the teenager was shot while advancing on an Ogden police officer while brandishing a knife and a pistol in the backyard of a home near 800 5th Street.
“The officer fired several rounds from a department issued pistol striking the suspect once … ” Watt said. “The suspect fell to the ground, and the officer, assisted by other officers, rendered first aid.”
The wounded suspect was taken to a local hospital by medical personnel from the Ogden Fire Department.
Watt said the teenager was admitted to the unnamed medical facility in good condition.
Police were first called to the scene around 7:06 p.m. when a case worker from the Department of Human Services notified emergency dispatchers that she was dealing with an 18-year-old armed with a shotgun who was threatening to kill himself.
Multiple units responded to the area, blocking off traffic while establishing a perimeter around the home.
“While the perimeter was being set up, two people came out of the front of the house and made contact with the officers,” Watt said. “They were relaying information when the suspect came out of the back of the house with a handgun in one hand and a butcher knife in the other.”
Watt said the officer tried to stop the suspect’s advance, but was unsuccessful. He’s been placed on paid administrative leave as per department policy.
The shooting investigation will be handled by the Weber County District Attorney’s Office, Watt said.
Gephardt Daily will update the story as more information becomes available.
For those who may be considering suicide, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at the National Suicide Hotline. To talk with a mental health expert, call 1-800-273-8255.
