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ROY, Utah, July 31, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — More details have been released following a fatal officer-involved shooting at a Roy medical clinic in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Ogden Police Chief Randy Watt told reporters at a 9 a.m. press conference that the deadly incident took place about 1:50 a.m. when officers from an OPD K-9 unit were called to assist the Roy Police Department with an “in-progress aggravated robbery” at the Tanner Medical Clinic at 3443 W. 5600 South.
“A night time cleaning crew member called 911 and reported that a male wielding a hammer had broken out a window and entered the clinic,” Watt said. “The caller retreated into the business and reported having barricaded herself in a back room.” The man was also wearing a mask.
Members of the Roy Police Department responded and were backed up by members of neighboring jurisdictions, Watt said. Roy police also requested assistance from Ogden Police Department K-9 unit.
“When the K-9 unit arrived, the handler deployed the K-9 and made entry to the building in a search to locate the suspect,” Watt said. “They moved in a very coordinated fashion into the business. The reason being they were concerned for the safety of the cleaning crew member who was trapped inside the building with a violent suspect.”
The suspect was located in a hallway holding the hammer, Watt said.
“The suspect refused commands to drop the hammer, and was engaged several times with less lethal rounds from a beanbag gun,” he added. “In response the suspect rapidly retreated into an office out of view.”
As officers were positioning themselves adjacent to the office, the suspect suddenly emerged and rapidly advanced on the officers holding a knife “in a threatening position,” Watt said.
“The contact was at such close quarters officers had no choice but to utilize their firearms to defend themselves,” Watt said. “The Ogden K-9 officer fired several rounds with his 9 mm duty pistol.”
He added that information is still being verified, but it appears another officer from a neighboring district also fired rounds. The K-9 also bit the suspect.
The suspect then fell to the floor, still holding the knife with the K-9 holding onto his leg. The K-9 was retrieved, and the K-9 officer and K-9 retreated as other officers took control of the scene and issued voice commands to the suspect to release the knife, Watt said.
The suspect was eventually disarmed and taken into custody, and transported to the emergency room at Davis Hospital’s Weber Campus where he was pronounced deceased.
Narcotics taken in the clinic pharmacy burglary were found on his person, officials said.
Jurisdictions that responded included Roy, Ogden, South Ogden, Weber State, Weber County Sheriff’s Office and Riverdale. Watt said the officers from Roy and Ogden were wearing body cameras. That footage is being reviewed.
“The Weber County Attorney’s Office is conducting an investigation in keeping with officer-involved shooting policy and protocols,” Watt said. The Ogden Police Department is also conducting its own investigation.
The suspect’s identity has not been released, as next-of-kin has yet to be notified, Watt said.
Watt emphasized that the investigation is in its very early stages and there are numerous protocols that have been enacted. The officer that is known to have discharged his weapon is on administrative leave, as per protocol, Watt said.
“Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased suspect,” Watt said. “These tragedies can be hard to understand. We are also grateful that all officers involved were not injured and that cleaning crew member was found safe inside the building.”
