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WEST VALLEY CITY — A man was killed and two West Valley police officers were injured in a shooting near Valley Fair Mall Friday night.
Police say just after 9 p.m., a man, later identified as Jesus Merino, 31, committed armed robbery at 3500 South and Bangerter Highway then led officers on a chase, firing at officers multiple times. The chase then ended at 3500 South and 2500 West.
At some point, the police tried to stop the vehicle involved in the robbery, when Merino shot at officers, striking the windshield of a patrol car. A lengthy pursuit followed with a car chase through West Valley City as well as on I-215. Shots were continually fired on pursuit.
He had violent intentions no matter what officers did.
–Mike Powell
Officers eventually forced the vehicle off the road at which point Merino fled the car on foot, shooting at officers. A West Valley City officer struck Merino with his car, but the suspect continued to fire at officers.
Officers returned fire, killing Merino on the scene.
Ambulances and a Life Flight helicopter responded to the scene. One officer was flown to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, and another officer was taken to a nearby hospital. Both are listed in serious but stable condition.
The one officer was shot in the ankle and is in stable condition. The other officers was shot in the upper leg twice and is also in stable condition.
Two other West Valley officers and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper were placed on paid administrative leave as a result of firing their guns at Merino.
West Valley police Sgt. Mike Powell would not say how Merino died. The state medical examiner will determine the cause of death, he said.
"He had violent intentions no matter what officers did," Powell said.
Police recovered a handgun and "other items of evidence" at the scene, he said. He would not specify the type of gun or what those items were.
Powell said he didn't know how many shots were fired between police and Merino, or what other police agencies were involved. He would not say whether the two wounded officers were inside or outside their vehicles when they were hit.
A visibly upset woman at the scene who claimed to be Merino's sister said he was driving her car and before he left he told her to "watch the news tonight."
Several roads in the area of 3500 South and 2500 West were closed as police conducted an investigation. Detectives are working with other agencies to determine Friday night's events.
Merino is a recent parole fugitive with a lengthy criminal background.
He was wanted in connection with the aggravated kidnapping of a taxi driver and at least two robberies last week in Salt Lake City, according to Salt Lake police. The department earlier Friday released a surveillance photo of Merino at a 7-Eleven and a mug shot. It also offered a reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Merino robbed two 7-Eleven stores early Thursday and early Friday, police said. In both cases, he asked for cigarettes before pulling a gun on the clerks and demanding money.
Last Sunday, Merino took a cab driver hostage at gunpoint after being involved in a crash with another vehicle, police said. He forced the driver to take him from the accident scene and made arrangements to meet another person. He got out at 4500 South and 700 East, climbed into a pickup truck with a black camper shell, police said.
Merino was imprisoned in September 2000 for second-degree felony robbery and second-degree felony theft by receiving stolen property, as well as third-degree felony aggravated assault. He was released on parole in February, according to the Utah Department of Corrections.
Utah court records show he was convicted of felony theft by receiving stolen property in 1998, aggravated assault by a prisoner in 2006, attempted assault by a prisoner in 2003, robbery and aggravated assault in 2000, and misdemeanor drug possession in 2000.
Written by Sarah Dallof and Benjamin Wood with contributions from Dennis Romboy.
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