Standoff ends in Farmington

Team Coverage A 12-hour standoff in Farmington ended Monday night when the man who held police at bay apparently shot himself.

The suspect has been identified as Brian Wood, a part-time firefighter for Farmington. It happened near 100 North and 115 East, ironically right across the street from the Farmington police and fire departments.

This standoff ended almost exactly 12 hours after it began. Brian Wood held police at bay in a tense standoff all day. Then just after 9 p.m. the standoff ended with a series of loud explosions and then later, we believe, a gunshot.

Police used what they call flash-bangs and pepper pellets in an effort to subdue Wood.

Police scanner traffic indicated, but police would not confirm, that Wood shot himself in the chest at some point. Medical help was being administered to Wood before he was taken away. His condition was described as extremely critical, but police would not confirm that, either.

This all began as a report of a family fight around 9:30 Monday morning, and it quickly escalated. The SWAT team was called in after police say that Wood fired a gun into a garbage can.

He sat in a black pickup truck outside his home, pointing a gun at police all day and refusing to surrender. They eventually sent in a robot with tear gas, but that did not work.

Wood's wife and 10-year-old son were home when all of this began but were able to get out safely.

Neighbors were shocked about what was going on. They described Wood as a very family-oriented man. One of Wood's friends, Rachel Barton, says, "He's just the nicest guy you'll ever meet. He's a firefighter and does a lot of outdoorsy stuff. He's great with the kids."

Police did not confirm anything or provide any more information Monday night. Get an update on this story Tuesday morning on Eyewitness News Today, KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM and on KSL.com.

E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com

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