CEDAR CITY, Utah, Feb. 23, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — The Cedar City Police Department has released additional information on the Feb. 14 police shooting of a man suspected in an assault involving a knife.
CCPD officers were dispatched at 8 p.m. to an assault in progress, the CCPD statement says.
“It was reported that a male had allegedly assaulted another male with a knife,” the department’s statement says. “A 39-year-old male victim was injured in the assault. Before Cedar City Police Officers arrived on the scene, the 36-year-old adult male, Larry Joseph Lee Tessier, fled in a 2000 Ford Expedition.”
Cedar City Police Officers located Tessier and conducted a traffic stop, the police statement says. Officers were talking with Tessier when he fled from the traffic stop, and officers began a pursuit.
“Tessier then allegedly drove recklessly on the roadways swerving into oncoming traffic and driving on the sidewalk at times,” the statement says.
“Tessier continued to drive recklessly and allegedly swerving towards officers assisting in the pursuit. Iron County Sheriff’s Office and Enoch City Police Department responded to assist with the pursuit as well. During the pursuit, the vehicle was spiked but continued to flee from law enforcement.”
Two pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuvers were performed, but were not successful. Tessier was forced off the roadway with another PIT maneuver, but continued to drive, the Cedar City Police statement says.
“Tessier allegedly rammed one Law Enforcement vehicle and then backed up and started aggressively driving towards another Law Enforcement vehicle as he attempted again to flee,” it says. “Due to the action of Tessier, four Cedar City Police Department Officers discharged their weapons.”
Those who fired were Cpl. Zach Adams, Officer Orlas DeMasters, Officer Heather Daynes and Officer Tyrell Crofts. In keeping with standard protocol, all have been placed on paid administrative leave. This incident continues to be investigated by the Iron/Beaver/Garfield Counties Critical Incident Task Force.
“Tessier was struck several times and officers on scene began life-saving treatment,” the police statement says. “Tessier was transported to Cedar City Hospital and later flown to Dixie Regional Medical Center for further treatment of his injuries.
“Tessier sustained injuries to his face, body, arms, and leg. Tessier is expected to survive his injuries and will be facing criminal charges related to these incidents.”
The victim in the initial assault was treated at Cedar City Hospital and released later on the day of the attack.
