RIVERTON, Utah, Oct. 22, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have identified a 26-year-old man who died in an officer-involved shooting in Riverton Monday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Jason Robert Whittle, Unified Police Department Sgt. Melody Gray said in a news release.
“Due to this being an active investigation we won’t comment on it beyond saying that officers from the Unified Police Department responded to an active domestic violence call at 11779 S. Stone Ridge Court involving the subject and his mother, age 56,” the news release says.
Unified Police officers responded to the scene at approximately 6:40 a.m.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera told Gephardt Daily shortly after officers arrived a man emerged from the home while holding a knife to a woman’s throat.
Two officers engaged the suspect and “shots were fired,” Rivera said.
Officers performed CPR on the assailant but he died at the scene.
Court records
Neighbors told reporters at the scene that the woman had filed a protective order against her son.
Court records show that on July 11 of this year, a Riverton woman, age 56, had filed an order of protection against Whittle, and the order was granted. The order is private, and its contents are unavailable.
Court records also show that in May of this year, Whittle pleaded guilty to one count of possession or use of a controlled substance, with two related charges dismissed, related to a 2016 incident. In addition, Whittle was due back in court on Nov. 11 on new drug charges.
Investigation
Members of the Officer Involved Critical Incident team headed by Salt Lake City Police are investigating the shooting.
“The Salt Lake City Police LEAD Protocol Team along with the District Attorney’s Office was notified, responded and will be conducting the investigation related to the OICI (Officer Involved Critical Incident) qualifying event,” the news release from UPD said. “A canvas of the neighborhood was conducted by the Protocol Team, however we ask that any witnesses to this incident please contact the Salt Lake City Police Department.”
To share information about the incident with the SLCPD, please call 801-799-3000. To remain anonymous, text crime tips to 274637. Start the text with the keyword TIPSLCPD (which routes it to SLCPD), then a space, followed by the relevant information or photos. Reference: crimetip.
Gephardt Daily will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
