Suspect in Provo officer’s death booked into jail after being released from hospital; new charges pending

Matt Frank Hoover. Photo: Utah County
  • For an updated story, click here.

OREM, Utah, Jan. 18, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Matt Frank Hoover, named as the only suspect in the shooting death of Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners, has been booked into the Utah County Jail, but has not yet been charged in the case.

Hoover, 40, was taken into police custody on Jan. 6 at the scene of PPD officer Shinners’ shooting. Shinners had been assisting Orem police in the apprehension of Hoover, a wanted fugitive who was parked in his truck in front of a strip mall at 50 W. University Parkway in Orem.

Police converged on the truck at about 10 p.m., and there was an exchange of gunfire. Shinners, a three-year veteran of the force, was gravely wounded and rushed to Utah Valley Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Shinners is survived by his wife and a 1-year-old son. He was buried with full police honors on Jan. 12.

Hoover was also hospitalized before being booked into jail on Friday. The nature of his injuries for which he was being treated has not been disclosed.

After the shooting, officials speculated that Hoover could face a number of charges, beginning with aggravated murder.

At present, Hoover is booked into jail on charges of unauthorized control of a vehicle (joyriding), stemming from a 2017 charge; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which stems from a 2016 charge; and a hold for Adult Probation and Parole.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here