KEARNS, Utah, Oct. 7, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The Unified Police Department has identified the suspect and officer following an an officer-involved shooting Wednesday in Kearns.
UPD has also identified the wife of the suspect, who was arrested during the incident.
Lt. Brian Lohrke said UPD Kearns Precinct Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle which was known to have Damian Scott Huth, 20, as a passenger. The incident took place at about 3:30 p.m., and began in the area of 6200 South and 5800 West. The shooting happened in the area of 6150 S. Trowbridge Way, Lohrke said.
Officers were looking for Damian Huth because he had outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and various drug offenses. During the arrest of Huth, his wife Kelli Huth, 18, attacked one of the arresting officers, allowing Damian Huth to flee on foot. During the foot pursuit, Damian Huth was shot once in the shoulder.
After he was apprehended, officers immediately started medical care to the gunshot wound. Damian Huth remains in the hospital in stable condition, and is expected to be released soon.
Kelli Huth was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, and charged with escape from official custody, harboring an escapee and interference with an arresting officer.
The officer involved in the shooting is Detective Cordell Whitmore, an eight-year veteran of the UPD. Previous to his employment with UPD, he served with another county law enforcement agency as a deputy and paramedic. He is currently in good condition after receiving lacerations to his hand.
The reasons and specific details of the shooting are still under investigation by the Salt Lake City Police Department and the OICI Protocol Team.
