Springville police shot and killed a man who they say opened fire at officers early Sunday.
At 4:57 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to reports of rapid gunshots in the area of 1500 West and 150 North, police said in a news release. While police were searching for the source of the gunshots, one of the officers came upon a car crash at 1200 West and 1000 North.
When the officer stopped and got out of his vehicle to check on the people inside the crashed car, a man inside opened fire on him, the release stated. Authorities later identified the man as 46-year-old Mathew Scott Nielsen.
Two officers exchanged gunfire with Nielsen, during which one officer was shot in the leg, according to the release. Utah County sheriff’s deputies and Spanish Fork and Mapleton officers responded to the scene to assist.
Police shot Nielsen, and officers saw him fall to the ground, officials said. It is not immediately known how many rounds were fired.
When officers approached the car and saw that Nielsen wasn’t moving, they “secured” him and provided medical aid, the release said.
Springville paramedics also performed first aid when they arrived at the scene, but Nielsen was pronounced dead, officials said. No further details have been provided about the man.
The officer who was shot was transported to a hospital. The second officer was not injured. The shooting is being investigated by the Utah County Officer Involved Critical Incident Team.
The shooting marked the sixth police shooting in Utah so far this year, according to a database maintained by The Salt Lake Tribune. On Friday, Taylorsville police shot a 35-year-old man who was reported to be suicidal at a Taylorsville home.
