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Sarah Dallof and Andrew Adams reportingA Salt Lake County deputy shot and killed a suspected drug runner in the front yard of a Salt Lake City home. The shooting happened just before noon today, across the street from Trolley Square.
Witnesses had only a few seconds to process what they saw. Andrea said, "I just heard two cars vroom, and then I walked outside and bam."
Detectives are now interviewing those witnesses and examining the physical evidence, which includes smashed cars and a broken fence.
According to Detective Jared Whiongi, spokesman for the Salt Lake Police Department, a narcotics team with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office tried to arrest a suspected drug smuggler.
The suspect, identifed as 49-year-old Jose Enrique Gelpi of West Valley City, fled, hitting a narcotics sergeant with his car. Another narcotics sergeant shot and killed the man. Gelpi's vehicle came to a stop in a yard.
Construction crews working on Trolley Square were forced to shut down, as multiple law enforcement vehicles blocked their site. Witness Kirk Duncan said, "[I] don't think I've ever seen this many at one scene. They just all of a sudden showed up."
Neighbors also poured out onto the street, worried about violence once again near their homes. Larry Boyce said, "I just came out just to see what happened 'cause, you know, with the Trolley Square incident and things of that nature, you're concerned what's going on in the neighborhood."
A narcotics sergeant who was hit by the car was treated on scene for some minor leg injuries and was released.
Meanwhile, the Salt Lake City Police Department is handling the investigation for the next 24 hours, at which point they will turn it back over to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
