Unified police reported officers shot and killed a 22-year-old man Friday evening in Midvale.
Police were searching for a robbery and drive-by shooting suspect Friday and tracked the car to a Motel 6, Unified police spokeswoman Melody Cutler said.
Police tried to stop the car with spike strips as the suspect, a 24-year-old man, drove it out of the parking lot. The car crashed soon after, near 7200 S. Bingham Junction Blvd. The driver, two female passengers and a male passenger, later identified as Matthew C. Knowlden, all got out of the crashed car.
Knowlden reportedly pulled a gun on officers and fired, and police shot back, Cutler said.
He was taken to the hospital and later died.
Police arrested the three others in the car, who all reportedly tried to run away. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name people who have been arrested but not charged.
The police shooting marks the 21st this year in Utah and the 13th fatal. It is the third police shooting in the state in four days.
A Unified officer shot a man who reportedly pointed a gun at police on Thursday in Holladay. That man survived. Police have not yet released his name.
On Tuesday, police shot and killed 27-year-old Bountiful resident Clay A. Reynolds outside Viewmont High School. Reynolds was carrying multiple weapons and his family has said they consider his death a suicide. They urged others experiencing mental health issues to seek help.
Editor’s note: If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255. The Utah’s Live On help line is 1-800-273-TALK
