WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Dec. 27, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A man is dead in West Valley City after police say he held his girlfriend against her will, then held SWAT teams at bay for nearly six hours Thursday morning.
The 52-year-old man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials say. The woman was able to leave the residence before the man barricaded himself inside.
The woman called police at 3:04 a.m. Thursday, Deputy Chief Matt Elson, West Valley City Police, said at the scene.
“We received a call at 6462 West and 4200 South,” Elson said. “An adult female called our dispatch, saying that her boyfriend was suicidal and had threatened her and fired some shots in the house.”
Police arrived and set up containment.
“The female told us she wasn’t free to leave at that time,” Elson said. “Obviously, she was scared. After some talking with her, we were able to get her safely out of the residence and then deal with the male inside.
He was “a 52-year-old male. He threatened to hurt police if we showed ourselves. He also threatened to kill himself.”
Police negotiated for hours and had a social worker and other mental health professionals on scene, Elson said. The man reportedly shot himself. After taking a number of safety precautions, police were able to confirm the man’s death shortly after 9 a.m.
“It’s disheartening for us as officers to come out and try to resolve the situation,” Elson said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out well this time. It was disheartening to all involved.”
Elson said officers responded to the house in July under similar circumstances, but the man was able convince them that the gun fired by accident. The female was not being held against her will at that time, he said. Police left and did a follow-up visit, Elson said.
“Unfortunately, when someone is set on taking his life, there is very little we can do.”
