SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 25, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake City police are searching for a suspect who gave officers the slip Thursday night after allegedly brandishing a weapon outside the Main Street Motel.
Police were first called to the scene at 1540 S. Main about 9:15 p.m., after reports that a person, later identified as 48-year-old John Fraire, allegedly “pointed a firearm at two people outside the motel,” according to an SLCPD press release.
Witnesses told police Fraire then entered one of the motel rooms where he was believed to be holed up.
“Officers set up a large containment area around the motel and began multiple attempts to communicate with Fraire,” the SLCPD release said. “Out of an abundance of caution, officers evacuated several motel rooms.”
Shortly after 10 p.m., “two people safely exited the motel room that witnesses saw Fraire enter. Based on witness statements, officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Fraire remained inside the motel room armed with the firearm,” the police press release said.
Out of an abundance of caution, the SLCPD SWAT team was called in, along with crisis negotiators.
Officers obtained a court-authorized search warrant for the motel room and at 11:24 p.m. the SWAT team “utilized a device to breach the motel room door and continued efforts to communicate with Fraire.
“At approximately 11:59 p.m., SLCPD SWAT entered the motel room and found it empty,” the press release said. “However, during the search, officers located a firearm.”
Police believe Fraire likely escaped before officers could fully establish containment efforts.
Anyone with information on Fraire’s whereabouts is being asked to contact law enforcement by calling 9-1-1.
“Fraire should be considered dangerous,” the SLCPD press release said. “As such, community members should not attempt to contact him.”
