A man wanted by police was shot and killed by members of the Metro Gang Unit and the U.S. Marshals’ Violent Fugitive Apprehension Team in Salt Lake City on Thursday night.
According to Unified Police, members of the two units were pursuing a fugitive at about 10:30 p.m. when they followed two vehicles into an alley near 445 E. 300 South. As officers confronted the man, one UPD officer and one Saratoga Springs officer opened fire, hitting 23-year-old Andrey Tkachenko. He died en route to a local hospital.
Police said Tkachenko was the fugitive they were seeking. Authorities haven’t released information on the warrant for which he was wanted.
A handgun was recovered from the shooting scene, police said.
Three other men were detained as they tried to flee the scene of the shooting. One was taken into custody on unrelated warrants; the other two were being questioned as the investigation — led by West Valley Police — continued.
One officer was treated and released from a local hospital after injuring his knee.
Thursday’s shooting was the fifth officer-involved shooting in nine days:
• On Oct. 10, a Tooele officer fired several times at a domestic violence suspect who reportedly aimed a pistol at him; no one was injured.
• On Oct. 11, Diamonte Riviore, 22, was shot and killed by a West Jordan officer responding to a domestic violence call. Riviore reportedly threatened officers with a knife.
• On Monday, Oct. 15, Jacob E. Albrethsen, 17, was shot and killed by two Orem officers responding to a “family problem.” He reportedly threatened officers with a knife.
• On Wednesday, Oct. 17, James Lyle Kuehn, 61, was shot by a Unified Police officer after he reportedly robbed a restaurant at knifepoint and, later, threatened officers with a knife. Kuehn remained hospitalized in critical condition on Friday.
Court records show Tkachenko has been charged with felony offenses a dozen times since 2014, when he turned 18. He’s been convicted eight times, mostly of crimes related to property theft and drugs.
He was twice convicted of failure to stop or respond to a command from police.
Paighten Harkins contributed to this report.
