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SPRINGVILLE — Police on Monday identified a man who was shot and killed by police last week after threatening an officer with a knife in Springville.
About 10:58 p.m. Friday, dispatchers received a 911 call from someone who claimed that a man was shooting a gun into the air at Walmart. The caller then hung up the phone, Springville Police Lt. Warren Foster said.
When a dispatcher called back, no one answered. The dispatcher tried calling a second time, and the man answered and told the dispatcher he couldn't talk, and said again that a man was shooting a gun into the air at Walmart.
Police pinged the phone call to the Springville Walmart, 660 S. 1750 West. The first officer arrived and parked, but before he could exit his patrol car, a large SUV hit his vehicle from behind, Foster said.
When the officer got out, he was "immediately confronted by the driver of the car that hit him, and was now threatening him with a knife in his hand," the lieutenant said.
The man was identified as Jonathan Hambleton. Police on Monday did not yet know his age or city of residence.
Hambleton approached the officer with a fixed-blade knife, according to Foster.
The officer fired multiple rounds at Hambleton, several of which hit him. Hambleton died, despite lifesaving efforts from first responders.
Foster did not know exactly how close Hambleton got to the officer before the officer fired shots, but he said it was "very close." Foster did not know if Hambleton and the officer exchanged words before the shooting.
He also noted that the incident was "very difficult for all parties involved, and our hearts do go out to the family of the victim. It's difficult for them to have to go through such an ordeal, as well as our officer. It's never easy when an officer has to do this."
The officer has been placed on standard administrative leave while the Utah County Critical Incident Team investigates.
According to the lieutenant, investigators learned the original 911 call matched Hambleton's phone number.
Investigators with the critical incident team are looking at multiple surveillance videos from the incident, as well as speaking to witnesses and Hambleton's family. At this point, police do not yet know what his motive might have been, Foster said.
