KEARNS, Utah, Jan. 11, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — Three juvenile suspects are in custody after crashing an SUV they were in as they fled from a Unified Police officer investigating the sound of gunfire, police say.
UPD Detective Wilkins told members of the media, the officer “was doing paperwork in his car” Friday about 7 p.m. near 4365 South 4420 West when heard what he thought was a gunshot.
“The officer started to look around the area, when he heard a second shot,” Wilkins said. He then “saw a vehicle that committed several traffic violations, at which point he got behind the vehicle.”
While “no pursuit was initiated, the vehicle fled” and then crashed into a sign outside a Salt Lake County library branch.
“Several juveniles exited the vehicle and began fleeing,” Wilkins said.
“The primary juvenile” was taken into custody near the vehicle, where a stolen firearm was located underneath his person on the ground.
“A second suspect was located a short distance from the primary suspect, and the third suspect was taken into custody inside his nearby home.
Other agencies were called out, along with a police helicopter, before the third juvenile suspect surrendered.
Wilkins said it was unclear who or what was being shot at prior to the crash.
Security video obtained by Gephardt Daily shows two suspects running from police.
It also shows officers are they close in on the juveniles.
All three of the underage suspects were taken into custody.
The first juvenile who was arrested suffered some abrasions, Wilkins said. There were no other reports of injuries.
The Unified Police Department was supported by multiple agencies including the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police, West Valley City Police, West Jordan Police, and the Department of Public Safety’s helicopter unit.
Photo: Gephardt Daily/Samuel Price
