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TAYLORSVILLE — Taylorsville police say a man who fired at an officer, then took his own life this week following an hourslong manhunt was believed to be homeless and did not have any warrants out for his arrest, nor was he on parole or probation.
He was identified Friday as Aaron Troy Michael Rehn, 29.
At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, a Taylorsville police officer spotted Rehn involved in unspecified "suspicious activity" at the Speedway gas station, 2187 W. 4700 South. As the officer approached to find out what was going on, Rehn ran away from the officer.
As the officer was chasing after him, Rehn turned and fired multiple rounds at the officer. The officer returned fire and took cover, according to police. Neither the officer nor Rehn were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
Following the exchange of shots, police shut down traffic in the area and asked residents to remain in their homes as dozens of officers from multiple agencies responded to the scene to look for the gunman. Officers surrounded the area and waited for a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter to arrive on scene to assist in the search.
About 7 a.m., 12-year-old Lucas Mann, who was getting ready for school, spotted Rehn hiding in the window well of his family's home. Lucas alerted his parents who called 911.
"The bravery of young Lucas made all the difference in resolving this case," Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam said in a prepared statement. "His quick thinking and calm response are remarkable. We are so grateful to him and his family."
Rehn fled from the window well and officers and police K-9s closed in at about 7:30 a.m. They located Rehn in the front yard of a residence just a couple of blocks away from where the original confrontation took place, Cottam said. As officers approached him, the chief said Rehn shot himself.
Why Rehn fled from officers and decided to take his own life was still under investigation Friday.
"These cases take time to put all the facts together toward concluding exactly what happened and why," Cottam said. "Sometimes we never find out the whys."
Although Rehn did not have any active warrants, court records show he was facing criminal charges in two cases in southern Utah at the time of his death, including DUI, misdemeanor assault and drug possession. Charges filed in August listed him as being from St. George.
