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SALT LAKE CITY — A man was shot by police officers late Friday night after he lunged at them with a knife, police said.
Salt Lake City police were called to a home at 164 S. 900 West just after 11 p.m. on a report of a man threatening to burn down his house, according to Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Robin Heiden.
"We have dealt with him in the recent past," she said, adding that officers were concerned for the man's safety, as well as that of other residents of the apartment building.
"I heard what sounded like police and then a gunshot and a thud," said a neighbor who did not wish to be identified.
When officers arrived, they tried to get the man to come outside, but he refused Heiden said. When they smelled natural gas, the officers decided to go inside "to secure the safety of the man and other residents," a prepared police statement said.
"Once inside, the subject was found to be in possession of some sort of object in his hands that officers believed to be a knife," Heiden said.
Inside, the man lunged at one of the officers with what appeared to be a knife, Heiden said said. That officer fired his gun, injuring the man.
Heiden did not say where the man was shot, but she said he was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover from his wound.
The officer who fired at the man is on paid administrative leave until an internal investigation is completed. A separate investigation is also underway by the Salt Lake County district attorney's office, as is customary when officers fire upon a subject.
Police did not release more information about the incident Saturday, including the names of the man or the officer involved in the shooting. Heiden said more would not be known until after the investigations are performed.
"I've never seen him get into trouble, but I have heard fighting," the neighbor said.
She said the man who was shot helps with building maintenance. She's also glad that her neighbor will recover and hopes something good comes out of this bad situation.
"My hope is that he gets help. He's sick. He's got some issues he needs to work through.
Contributing: Nkoyo Iyamba and Sandra Yi
Email: jormond@ksl.com
Email: wleonard@ksl.com
