Police shot and killed a Taylorsville man early Thursday after he reportedly fired multiple shots from inside his home.
According to Taylorsville police, officers received a report of domestic violence at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday at a home near 3800 West and 5000 South.
When officers arrived, they learned that the man’s wife and 3-month-old baby had escaped the house unharmed, but the armed man — Joseph Potts, 34 — was still inside, firing a rifle at things both inside and outside of the house.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Authorities conduct an investigation after police shot and killed a man outside his home in Taylorsville, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.
Police said they attempted to negotiate with the man, who they suspect was intoxicated, but officers were unsuccessful. At about 1 a.m., Potts came outside “wearing tactical-type gear and showed the rifle,” according to a news release from Taylorsville City.
Potts was then shot by a SWAT officer and suffered a fatal gunshot wound, according to the release.
The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Salt Lake City Police Department investigates the shooting.
Police did not say if Potts fired at officers when he came outside, or how many shots were fired at him in total. No officers were injured.
Police said Potts had no history of aggravated violence and no previous contact with them, the news release states.
According to a database maintained by The Salt Lake Tribune, this marked the 18th law enforcement shooting in Utah so far this year.
