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A man shot by Salt Lake City police after he allegedly pulled a gun during a traffic stop was in improved condition Wednesday and expected to recover.

SLCPD Detective Dennis McGowan said Wednesday that Salvador Miranda Flores, 30, "has been improving rapidly" since initially being rushed to University Hospital in critical condition on Tuesday. Doctors reported the Flores was stable, though still in serious condition.

Meanwhile, the man's father told KUTV 2News that he is not surprised by the shooting incident.

"It's sad, but, to be honest, we were expecting something was going to happen. He would go to jail, or he was going to get shot," said Armando Flores. "We tried to teach him the best we can, and we've got a good family. But other than that, he chose otherwise."

Two guns were found in Flores' possession, according to police. The father believes one of the guns was stolen from him on Monday night by his son.

"My gun is missing. So he's probably in possession of my gun, because we heard him last night. He walked into the computer room," Armando Flores told KUTV. "I got a concealed weapon permit and I carry a gun all the time. And when I come home, I put it inside. It's gone this morning. So he probably took it last night."

Salvador Flores's mother, Ruth Flores, said her son's addition to methamphetamine put him on the wrong side of the law.

"Regardless of what the cops or anyone else may say, he's a good person. He's just on drugs," Ruth Flores told KUTV. "We've tried to get him to go get help. He won't get help. And everyone knows, as long as you're on meth or any drugs, there's no chance for him."

The family tried to visit him in the hospital, but said they cannot see him yet. They are praying for his recovery while apologizing to the community.

"I'm sorry truthfully for what happened," Armando Flores said. "I feel bad for the community."

The shooting occurred early Tuesday morning, when officers responded to a report of a suspicious white Chevrolet pickup truck cruising the area of a 7-Eleven store near 500 East and 1700 South. Officers spotted the vehicle soon thereafter, pulling it over at 1125 S. State Street about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

When the driver, Flores, was asked to exit the pickup, he allegedly came out with a handgun. A confrontation with officers ensued and Flores was shot twice by officers. Flores did not fire his weapon.

At the time of the traffic stop, Flores was wanted on an arrest warrant for missing his sentencing hearing last year on misdemeanor weapon and drug convictions.

It remained likely that Flores will remain hospitalized for several weeks, but once he is released he will be booked into the Salt Lake County jail on numerous counts.

A 28-year-old female passenger in the truck was arrested for outstanding warrants unrelated to the Tuesday incident.

McGowan said he did not know specifically when, but police planned "soon" to release footage from the body cameras of two officers, who were placed on administrative leave pending review of the shooting.

Flores pleaded guilty last year in 3rd District Court to reduced class A misdemeanor counts of possession of a dangerous weapons and possession of a controlled substance.

A $10,000 bench warrant was issued in the case after Flores missed an Aug. 11 sentencing date, according to court records.

He was booked into jail on Sept. 2, but bailed out, and a $15,000 warrant was issued after Flores missed a Sept. 15 bench warrant hearing.

The charges were filed following a March 11, 2014, traffic stop by Salt Lake City police for having no insurance, during which Flores was found in possession of a knife, syringes, Alprazolam pills and methamphetamine, according to charging documents.

Flores was considered a restricted person due to a 2009 conviction for third-degree felony aggravated assault, for which he was sentenced to probation, according to court records.

Flores also was wanted on a $1,750 warrant issued by a Salt Lake City justice court judge for an August domestic violence assault case in which the defendant missed a September court date.

Twitter: @remims