SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 11, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — South Salt Lake police officers responded to an apartment Tuesday night after a former resident who had been evicted barricaded himself inside and threatened to shoot anyone who came through the door.
Police were called to the scene, at 2782 S. Blair St. (approximately 350 east), at 7:22 p.m., said South Salt Lake Police Department public information officer Gary Keller.
“The individual, who had been a renter at the address, he was legally evicted in March,” Keller said. “Since that time, he had some mental issues, and had shown up at people’s houses in different cities, saying he lived there.”
Keller said the property manager at the man’s former residence provided keys. After other tenants were relocated or instructed to shelter in place, officers using shields used the key to enter the residence.
The man did not have a gun, but he was holding a hammer, which he did not raise, Keller said. Officers took the man into custody.
“There were no injuries to him or to any officers,” Keller said. “We will get him a mental evaluation and the help he desperately needs.”
Charges will be considered at a later date, Keller said. The evaluation will come first.
“It ended really, really good,” the officer said. “It took some time moving neighbors out of harm’s way, but it was a good outcome.”
