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PROVO — A man who police say was wearing a "tactical" vest and armed with an Airsoft rifle designed to look like an AR-15 was shot and killed by police Sunday.
Cody Evans, 24, of Springville, was shot and killed by two officers after pointing what they believed was a real assault rifle at them, said Provo Police Sgt. Brandon Post.
According to Provo police, officers responded to a "chaotic" domestic violence call just before 8 a.m. The call was made by Evans' ex-wife, Post said. Officers searching the area found Evans near Paul Reams Wilderness Park, 1600 W. 500 North.
Evans barricaded himself inside his vehicle and brandished what appeared to be an AR-15 at officers, according to a statement from Provo police.
"While officers were attempting to speak to the (man) with their PA systems, (he) racked the charging handle on the rifle," according to police. "The (man) then told officers he was going to ram their vehicles and began to rev his engine."
The man then drove through a resident's lawn to avoid spike strips set up by police. He also drove toward an officer as if to hit him but then swerved to avoid him, Post said. A short car chase ensued, but after Evans ran a red light, officers called off the chase for safety concerns, according to police.
About 90 minutes later, police spotted the vehicle again near 1800 West and 600 South. Evans was reportedly at a friend's apartment.
When he came out, he was wearing a "tactical" vest but was not holding the weapon, Post said. It was later determined the vest was not bulletproof. Evans was also wearing a holster, police said. Officers attempted to arrest him as he walked out of a building.
Evans ignored officers' commands and ran to his vehicle, opened the door, and pulled out the assault-style rifle, police said. The Airsoft gun did not have an orange tip on it, Post said.
"(He) then immediately pointed the rifle at officers," according to police.
The man was shot and killed.
A Provo police officer and a Utah County sheriff's deputy fired a total of three rounds. They were approximately 100 feet away from him during the final confrontation, Post said. Both were placed on standard paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
In February 2014, Evans took a plea in abeyance to domestic violence related charges of assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child. According to a probable cause statement, in that incident Evans grabbed his wife around the neck, "slammed" her onto the bed and punched her face, giving her a bloody and swollen lower lip and bruising around her neck. He was ordered to serve 10 days in jail.
In April 2014, Evans pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.
Contributing: Sandra Yi
