Former Taylorsville officer in court for fatal shooting case

SALT LAKE CITY — Jimmy Jeremy Haas, a former Taylorsville police officer made his first court appearance Friday in connection with a deadly fatal shooting case. The case stems from an October 2024 officer-involved shooting in Taylorsville that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Henry Chavez Jr. Prosecutors said Haas shot Chavez Jr. through the rear windshield of his truck after Chavez used his vehicle to ram his police car during the 2024 confrontation. Court proceedings on Friday were brief and focused on procedural matters, including required paperwork and next steps in the criminal case. Haas was not taken into custody and left the courthouse following the hearing. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office charged Haas in May with manslaughter, marking one of the most significant officer-involved shooting cases in the county in more than a decade. He could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. At Friday’s hearing, a judge reviewed the charge and advised Haas on required documentation moving forward. The hearing lasted only a few minutes. Haas is scheduled to return to court on August 7 at 9 a.m. for his next hearing. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas said video evidence is expected to play a central role as the case continues. “As the case moves forward, video evidence will likely be a key focus as both sides prepare arguments over whether the force used was legally justified,” Skordas said.

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