A Utah man who was involved in a shootout with Davis County Sheriff's deputies on Tuesday allegedly kidnapped another man at gunpoint earlier that day.
No one was injured when the 35-year-old suspect and police fired their weapons at each other, according to the sheriff’s office. The shooting happened about 10 a.m. when deputies arrived at a home near 4600 West and 800 North in West Point to investigate a report that the suspect — who was wanted on a parole violation — was staying in a camper in the backyard.
According to a probable cause statement, a review of police bodycam footage shows that the suspect pointed the gun “in close proximity to a Davis County deputy’s face” and squeezed the trigger “several times.”
Police have not released any information about the officers returning fire. The shooting is being investigated by the Davis County Critical Incident Protocol Team.
After the suspect was arrested, officers learned that he is a suspect in a kidnapping, according to the probable cause statement. At about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a man armed with a handgun entered another West Point home; pointed the gun at the victim; stole his phone; and forced the suspect to drive him to a store. Once there, the suspect was picked up by someone driving another car, the statement said.
The victim later identified the suspect from a photo lineup, according to police.
After he was arrested, the suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for an “unrelated medical issue.” He is, according to police, a “convicted felon with extensive criminal history, and gang affiliation with white supremacists.”
The suspect has been booked into the Davis County jail for investigation of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and possession of a gun by a restricted person. He is being held without bail.
The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name people who have been accused of crimes but have not yet been charged.
