Provo • Officer John Oseguera is expected to survive after he was shot and injured Thursday while responding to reports of a man acting erratically, says Provo Police Sgt. Nisha King. The man who allegedly fired at him is expected to survive as well after he was also shot.
Oseguera was shot at least twice but is in stable condition, Chief Rich Ferguson said at a news conference Thursday. Ferguson said Oseguera’s wife is in shock but is handling things well. He said Oseguera called her to tell her he loves her on the way to the hospital.
The shooting happened at 900 East and 80 South, near the Vista Ridge Apartments, King told reporters Thursday. Officers were responding to reports at about 12:51 p.m. that a man was behaving erratically and carrying a gun, King said.
Ferguson said the man had two semi-automatic rifles. When officers arrived on scene, he retreated into his home and began shooting. Officers then returned fire. According to King, the man shot Oseguera “multiple times.”
After briefly barricading himself in an apartment, the man was pulled through an open window by officers, according to King. Both Oseguera and the man were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Provo police Sgt. Nisha King on scene of where a police officer was shot and injured during an exchange of gunfire with an erratic man in an apartment complex on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.
King said Oseguera, who has been with the department about two years, suffered a shrapnel injury. He was taken into surgery, she said.
Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said her heart goes out to Oseguera and his family and two small daughters. She thanked Provo’s officers for containing the scene and preventing further danger to the public.
“We are well served by our police department,” she said. “I am proud of their actions today and every day.”
The shooting is currently under investigation. Ferguson said two officers are on administrative leave.
Police blocked off the apartment complex, and the building was still locked down as of 8 p.m. Thursday.
Preston Nackos and Destrie Moon said they were asleep in their apartment when they were awakened by police, telling them to evacuate. “The shooting was happening at that time,” Nackos said Thursday afternoon.
“I would like to check on my rabbits,” Moon said.
The shooting took place near Memorial Park, at 700 East and Center Street in Provo, which is near Provo Peaks Elementary School. The school was not put on lockdown, a spokesman for the Provo School District said. The shooting occurred shortly before students were being let out for the day, he said.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Provo Police investigate the scene where a police officer was shot and injured during an exchange of gunfire with an erratic man in an apartment complex on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.
