Man armed with pellet gun shot by Murray police officer


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MURRAY — A Murray police officer shot a suspected burglar in the face Sunday during a confrontation at Southwood Park.

Witnesses reported a man going through yards and a recreational vehicle about 10 a.m. and told police they last saw him in the park at 6150 S. 725 East.

Several officers responded to the area, including one his way to work who stopped at the park, said Sandy Police Sgt. Dean Carriger.

The officer found the man in a restroom, where a minor confrontation occurred, he said. The confrontation resumed outside the bathroom after the man walked away.

"As the officer re-engaged him, that individual produced what was believed to be a handgun and was turning at the officer with that handgun," Carriger said.

The officer shot the man once in the face, he said. The man, described as a white male in his 30s, was taken to the hospital. Police did not know the severity of the man's injuries.

Neither Carriger nor Murray Police Chief Craig Burnett knew if the officer was wearing a body camera because he was en route to work at the time. The officer has worked for Murray police for three years.

Late Sunday afternoon, Carriger issued a news release saying the initial investigation showed "the perceived handgun was determined to be a pellet gun." The gun was all black and "consistent in appearance with a real handgun," Carriger wrote.

Sandy police also determined that the handgun was stolen during the burglary Murray police were investigating prior to the shooting.

The suspect's name has not been released to the public.

Sandy police are investigating the incident under new state guidelines that don't allow departments to investigate their own officer-involved shootings. Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office investigators are also on the scene.

Contributing: Sandra Yi

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