Utah man shoots, kills Idaho officer who confronted him in his home, police say


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LAYTON — Layton police say a man who burst into a home uninvited to confront the homeowner about an alleged relationship was shot and killed by the homeowner Thursday night.

The victim was an Idaho Falls police officer. He was identified Friday as Blaine Reed, 35.

Layton police did not make any arrests in the case on Friday.

The shooting happened about 6:45 p.m. at 300 W. Park Ave. in Layton. Reed arrived at the house, entered without being invited and confronted the homeowner "about a relationship he believed the homeowner was having with his ex-girlfriend," said Layton Police Lt. Travis Lyman.

"A physical altercation ensued between the two men, and the homeowner shot the man several times," he said.

After the shooting, the homeowner immediately called 911, according to Lyman. Reed later died at a local hospital.

The name of the homeowner was not released Friday. Police said he was cooperating with investigators. Lyman said the homeowner is not a law enforcer.

Reed was hired by the Idaho Falls Police Department in December of 2015.

On Oct. 12, he was involved in a domestic violence incident, according to court records.

On Oct. 13, Idaho Falls police were made "aware of a possible altercation that Reed had been involved with which had taken place the day before while he was off-duty. Reed was sent home at that time," according to a statement from the police department. He returned to work on Oct. 15, but was reassigned as essentially a desk clerk, performing non-law enforcement duties around the office.

On Nov. 20, Reed was formally placed on leave from the department, according to Idaho Falls police. He was charged Dec. 21 with attempted strangulation and assault, according to Jefferson County court records. Details about what led prosecutors to file those charges were not immediately available.

Idaho Falls police stated Friday that at the time of Thursday's confrontation, "Reed was still on administrative leave and an internal investigation was in process. From the time that (the department) was made aware of the incident on Oct. 13, 2018, Reed was prohibited from operating as a police officer for the Idaho Falls Police Department."

Idaho Falls police said they were notified of Reed's death Thursday night.

"We are saddened by the news of his passing and the events surrounding this tragic situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved," the department's statement said.

Reed received the Idaho Falls Police Department's “Life‐Saving” Award in 2016 for saving a 25‐year‐old man who had overdosed on drugs, according to the East Idaho News.

“We are lucky to have an officer who cares so much for people. His desire to keep our community safe is unwavering," Idaho Falls Capt. Royce Clements said at the time.

The paper reported that prior to joining the Idaho Falls department, Reed worked seven years with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.

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Pat Reavy is a longtime police and courts reporter. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that.

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