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SALT LAKE CITY — Just as one officer told a wanted man to show his hands, another Salt Lake police officer drew his weapon and it fired almost immediately, striking the suspect in his hand.
In body camera video released Monday by the Salt Lake City Police Department, the officer who shot his gun reacts in a surprised way, as though he didn't intend to fire his weapon.
The incident happened early June 29. Salt Lake police were asked to assist Utah Highway Patrol troopers to look for two men in the area of 5650 West and 700 South, just off the main road. A trooper had spotted a pickup truck about 12:10 a.m. that was speeding. But before the trooper could get turned around, the vehicle sped off, according to police.
The pickup was found abandoned near the side of the road a short time later. By 12:33 a.m., two Salt Lake police officers, one with a police K-9, were at the scene to help look for the two occupants of the truck.
Body camera videos show officers searching thick patches of tall grass that, in some areas, was taller than the officers. At about 12:40 a.m., an officer is heard yelling to one of the wanted men to show his hands.
Just as this happened, one video shows the officer who was following draw his weapon, which immediately fires, although it does not appear in the video that the officer could see the man.
Joe Caster, 51, can be heard saying several times, "You shot me" and, "You blew my hand off."
Caster was treated for a gunshot wound to his hand at a local hospital and then booked into the Salt Lake County Jail where he is being held for potential federal charges. The officer accused of shooting him has been placed on standard paid administrative leave.
"There are multiple investigations occurring related to this officer-involved shooting," Salt Lake police said Monday. "One of the aspects being considered is the possibility that the discharge of the officer's firearm was unintentional."
The second man, Jack Colonna, 39, was located and short time later and arrested without incident.
"I hope our community understands that we take these matters very seriously. The Salt Lake City Police Department is committed to evaluating our performances to identify opportunities that can improve our training and outcomes," Chief Mike Brown said in a prepared statement Monday. "As a department, we are grateful the injuries in this case were not life-threatening."
Neither Caster nor Colonna were believed to be armed, according to police.
