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MIDVALE — A Unified police officer fired three shots at a man who simultaneously pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head, a newly unsealed search warrant affidavit indicates.
The three shots reportedly missed Michael Huggard, 35, but he was critically injured when he shot himself in the head while police fired at him. According to the warrant, the incident was recorded on both a a surveillance camera from a local business as well as a camera mounted inside a police vehicle.
About 1:40 a.m. on Aug. 16, two Unified police officers pulled over a motorcyclist at 920 E. South Union Ave. (7220 South) who had been driving recklessly.
"Huggard appeared to be agitated and somewhat uncooperative during the traffic stop. When Huggard eventually pulled his motorcycle to the side of the road, and in the process of dismounting the motorcycle, Huggard fell to the ground with the motorcycle falling on his legs," the affidavit states.
The officers detected an odor of alcohol on Huggard's breath. When they identified him, another officer was sent to the scene as backup because Huggard had a "history of carrying a firearm and being uncooperative with police," according to the warrant.
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All three shots were believed to have missed Huggard who shot himself in the head, the warrant says. "He (Wilson) believed Huggard was going to shoot at the police during this incident."
The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating the shooting. The review will then be turned over to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
Police said Monday that Huggard is expected to be transferred to a long-term care facility.
