- Salt Lake City police shot Thomas Nelson on May 22 after he brandished a gun.
- Nelson, 33, reportedly expressed suicidal intentions and threatened neighbors before the incident.
- Four officers fired shots; Nelson was pronounced dead. An investigation is ongoing.
SALT LAKE CITY — A man shot and killed by Salt Lake City police two weeks ago after refusing to put his gun down had told neighbors he was suicidal.
"He wants someone to kill him," one woman is heard telling a responding officer in body camera video. "He said he might have explosives, but I think it's more a threat than reality."
On May 22, Thomas Nelson, 33, was shot and killed while brandishing a gun and standing on his front porch near 150 W. Lucy Avenue. On Friday, Salt Lake City police released six body camera videos — some less than 30 seconds long — from officers who responded to the scene and the initial 911 call.
"It's scary, he's been threatening to kill himself," a neighbor tells a 911 dispatcher while explaining that Nelson had just brandished a gun at a neighbor. "He's told everybody he's going to kill himself today."
Additionally, the caller says Nelson gave his dogs to a neighbor to hold onto, that the gun was now in his waistband and that police had been at his residence recently.
In body-camera footage, officers are seen taking cover behind a truck parked in the street in front of Nelson's residence.
"He's coming out, he's coming out," an officer is heard saying calmly shortly after arriving at the scene.
"Hey, let me see your hands," another officer yells at Nelson.
But almost immediately, multiple officers start yelling, "Put the gun down."
Moments later, police fired 7 to 8 shots. Salt Lake City police say four officers fired their weapons after Nelson "racked the slide of the gun and then moved the gun upwards." Nelson was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured and it was not immediately known if Nelson fired any shots.
In one body camera video, an officer takes a pair of witnesses aside prior to the shooting, who again say that Nelson is suicidal and possibly either intoxicated or "heavily medicated" or both. One woman says she isn't sure if Nelson's gun is real.
Not long after, the officer can be heard telling others on his police radio that Nelson "wants to do suicide by cop" and starts walking back to where the others had taken cover. Nelson walks out of his house, and the shots from the fatal confrontation are heard.
The officers who shot at Nelson have been placed on standard paid leave pending an investigation by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.
Suicide prevention resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Crisis hotlines
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
- 988 Suicide and Crisis LifeLine at 988
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- SafeUT: safeut.org
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Utah chapter: afsp.org/chapter/utah
Warning signs of suicide
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
What to do if you see warning signs of suicide
- Do not leave the person alone
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
- Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
