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ST. GEORGE — An investigation by the Washington County Critical Incident Task Force and the Washington County Attorney has determined that the fatal shooting of an 83-year-old man by a St. George Police officer at the Utah Port of Entry was justified.
Raymond Gladman, who was in the process of moving from Sedona, Arizona, to be near his family in Bellingham, Washington, was seen on surveillance footage driving in circles at the Port of Entry along northbound Interstate 15 on the morning of Aug. 3. After initially speaking with officials at the port, Gladman ended up in a standoff with Utah Highway Patrol, St. George Police and the St. George SWAT team that lasted about an hour and a half before a police sniper killed Gladman with a shot to the head.
The investigation determined the shooting to be a "suicide by cop" and said Gladman exited the vehicle with both hands firmly on a firearm and was pointing it at officers when an officer opened fire.
"It was reasonable for the officer that fired the shot to conclude that peace officers on the scene were at risk of death or serious bodily injury," said a letter by Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke to St. George Police Chief Kyle Whitehead with the results of the investigation. "It was also reasonable for officers at the scene to conclude that Mr. Gladman was suicidal and knew that officers would use deadly force if he posed an immediate threat to their safety his actions escalated the situation which caused the use of deadly force. The shooting officer's timely action prevented Mr. Gladman from opening fire.
