Man shot by Taylorsville police placed under arrest

TAYLORSVILLE — An armed man who was shot by Taylorsville police over the weekend was placed under arrest at a local hospital Monday afternoon.

Alex Stewart Boren, 34, was arrested for investigation of five counts of assault on a police officer and criminal mischief. A jail booking affidavit was filed although Boren was not moved into the jail.

Prior to Boren being booked, the city issued a brief update Monday, saying, "Alex Boren's condition has been upgraded to stable and he is expected to live."

Boren was shot late Friday night in Taylorsville. Boren was at a friend's house near 4400 South and 2200 West when he allegedly started harming himself. When emergency dispatchers were called, they were told that Boren "was reported to have suffered self-inflicted lacerations and was reported to be suicidal," according to police.

"Officers were told when they arrived that the man, who is about 35 years old, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and possibly schizophrenia," police said. "Upon arrival, officers were directed to the area of the residence where the man in distress was last seen. They were confronted by the man, who had sustained multiple self-inflicted lacerations."

According to a police booking affidavit, Boren "had slit his wrists and neck open." Officers found a large amount of blood in the residence and "followed another blood trail that led to a bedroom and located Alex in the closet with significant bleeding lying under bedding."

One officer commented, "He's not moving," the affidavit states. They then used a broom stick to lift the bedding off of Boren.

"Alex sprung up, grabbed a large fix blade bowie knife, with a blade over 6 inches in length and moved forward toward five officers. Officers shot at Alex, who maintained a grip on the knife. Officers continued to give Alex commands to drop the knife. Alex sat up with the knife in his hand and again made motions forward, which resulted in more gunshots. While Alex is lying on the ground, he is seen lifting his head up looking towards the officers. He is then seen throwing the knife toward an officer, which misses him," according to the affidavit.

On Sunday, police say Boren was holding a large bowie-type knife and scissors and that officers attempted to use a Taser and "rubber bullets" to take him into custody before shots were fired, but were unsuccessful.

"Alex lunged towards officers with the large knife, resulting in an officer-involved shooting," the affidavit states.

On Sunday, before Boren was arrested, a GoFundMe campaign* was started to help raise money for his defense in anticipation of potential charges.

According to the fund raising site, Boren is a veteran of the Iraq War and was having "an acute post-traumatic stress disorder episode" on Friday when he was shot four times by police in the chest and stomach.

A post on social media says Boren served six years with the U.S. Marine Corps., was shot while serving and has since suffered from multiple psychiatric episodes.

*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

Correction: Boren was placed under arrest on Monday but remains at a local hospital. An earlier version incorrectly stated he had been moved to the Salt Lake County Jail.

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