SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 3, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — An alleged arson suspect was killed early Friday morning after leading officers in a multi-county pursuit that stretched from Orem to Salt Lake City and ended in a crash on South Redwood Road.
Information provided by the Salt Lake City Police Department’s PR Unit said the officer-involved-critical-incident (O-I-C-I) started Thursday night about 11:30 p.m., when law enforcement located the 27-year-old suspect in Orem.
“During the investigation, the SLCPD learned the suspect was likely in possession of body armor and firearms,” the PR Unit statement said.
“Information about the suspect’s location was shared with law enforcement throughout Utah and Salt Lake counties.
“At some point, law enforcement initiated a pursuit of the suspect who was driving a truck.
“The suspect refused to stop.
“The pursuit entered and then traveled throughout Salt Lake County, including Salt Lake City.
“During the pursuit, the suspect fired multiple rounds at pursuing law enforcement.”
Law enforcement used spike strips to flatten the truck’s tires, but the suspect continued driving, the SLCPD PR Unit statement said.
“The pursuit ended around 12:30 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 12400 South Redwood Road in Riverton, Utah when the suspect crashed his truck.
“The crash caused the suspect’s truck to flip and land on its top.
“Law enforcement confirmed the suspect died on-scene.”
The manner and the cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
“The SLCPD can confirm that seven (7) of its officers were involved in the officer-involved-critical-incident,” the SLCPD PR Unit said,
Other agencies involved in the officer-involved-critical-incident are:
- Taylorsville Police Department
- Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
- Utah County Sheriff’s Office
- Utah Highway Patrol
- West Valley City Police Department
“The exact number of involved officers from each agency is still being determined.
“There are no other reported injuries to officers or community members.”
The SLCPD PR Unit statement said the residential arson the alleged suspect was being sought for occurred New Year’s Day at 2665 East 2100 South in Salt Lake City.
The name of the suspect is not currently being released, pending notification of next-of-kin.
“The involved Salt Lake City police officers will be placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
“OICI Protocol Team 4, led by West Jordan Police will be leading this investigation.”
Gephardt Daily will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
