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SOUTH JORDAN — A police officer and a gunman whom police were looking for were both hospitalized with injuries they suffered late Friday after exchanging gunfire inside a South Jordan home.
Several officers approached a home Friday night in a cul-de-sac in the area of 10400 South Tarali Ct. looking for a specific man in connection with a stolen vehicle case and residents allowed the officers inside.
"We encounter him, I believe, in the basement and he comes out of a bedroom firing at our officers," said South Jordan Police Lt. Matt Pennington.
Pennington said the gunman fired "several rounds at officers," striking one officer once in the lower leg, seriously injuring the officer. Two police officers returned fire. The suspect was "struck multiple times," he said.
Both the officer and the man were hospitalized. Pennington said the officer underwent surgery at a local hospital and is currently in stable condition. The suspect, Pennington says, also underwent surgery and is now in stable but critical condition.
No one else who was in the house at the time of the gunfire was injured, including a second officer who returned fire, Pennington said.
Pennington didn't know how many officers fired at the man, but said there were three or four officers inside the house at the time. The injured man also had several warrants for his arrest for crimes unrelated to the stolen vehicle case, but Pennington did not specify what those crimes were.
Neither the officer's name nor the suspect's name have yet been released.
"Obviously this is hard for all of us when you get that call. Thankfully it wasn't worse," the lieutenant said.
10400 S (Miner's Mile) is back open but the neighborhood into Gladys Dr. Remains closed. It sounds like police are working to clear the scene. Waiting for official update from @SoJoPoliceFire. @KSL5TVpic.twitter.com/loNf7EGRFC
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) November 27, 2021
Police closed 10400 South between Redwood Road and 2200 West for about an hour after the incident. That road has since reopened but nearby Gladys Drive remained blocked off at 10 p.m.
Gov. Spencer Cox said on Twitter that he is praying for the officer's full recovery and the governor expressed gratitude for the brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect their fellow citizens.
Our hearts are with this brave officer and his family as we pray for his full recovery. We are once again filled with gratitude to the brave men and women who daily put themselves in harm's way to serve and protect their fellow citizens. https://t.co/RoS1eZOkja
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) November 27, 2021
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, Pennington said, in accordance with department policy.
An independent investigation is being handled by a Salt Lake County protocol team, Pennington said. When the investigation is complete it will be reviewed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
Contributing: Matt Brooks