Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

OGDEN — A suspect involved in an apparent disturbance in downtown Ogden early Tuesday morning was shot and killed by Ogden police after firing on officers following a pursuit, Deputy Chief Jake Sube said at a press conference.

The shootout in the 700 block of Eighth Street, a residential neighborhood, followed a separate officer-involved shooting a week ago on June 6 involving Ogden police that left another man dead.

“Both events involved officers being shot at and needing to return fire. These incidents have an undeniable impact on both the officers and the community,” Sube said. He didn’t identify the person killed in Tuesday’s incident pending notification of family.

Tuesday’s incident started with a report of a disturbance of some sort involving a person with a gun in the 100 block of 25th Street, the block closest to Wall Avenue. Multiple officers responded, Sube said, but the suspect fled in a car later found to be stolen.

“Our officers made every effort to track down that vehicle, which resulted in an attempted traffic stop near the 200 block of 17th street,” Sube said.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

The person once again fled, but officers pursued, tracking the vehicle to Eighth Street. That’s where the fatal shootout occurred, initiated by the suspect.

“Upon the officers’ arrival at Eighth Street, the driver of the suspect vehicle got out and began to fire a weapon at two officers who had not been able to get out of their vehicles,” Sube said. “One of the officers was able to make his way out of his vehicle and returned fire. The suspect sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.”

Susan Rushing, who lives in the home fronting the section of Eighth Street where the shootout occurred, was awoken by the disturbance — gunshots then yelling.

“We could hear the gunshots. Then we came up and saw the lights and all the commotion and everything,” she said. “I don’t know why the guy happened to just turn down Eighth Street. Just did it.”

Police filled the block in front of her home in the immediate aftermath of the incident as they investigated. Later Tuesday morning, the street was relatively quiet, with a pair of workers wearing T-shirts reading “Crime Scene Cleaners” cleaning the curb area where Rushing said the suspect died.

Sube said the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident, standard procedure. The Weber-Morgan Critical Incident Taskforce will investigate the matter, same as the June 6 shooting.

“We are extremely relieved that none of the officers were injured during this dangerous encounter. Their commitment to their duty, and their ability to respond quickly in rapidly and evolving situations, is commendable,” Sube said.

Sube took no questions at this early stage of the investigation but said police plan to release more information as they are able.

In last week’s incident, a man fired on an Ogden officer who was responding to a call about a violation of a protective order at Washington Park Apartments at 170 N. Washington Blvd. The officer returned fire, several more officers arrived and the police ultimately shot and killed the suspect, Brian Dee Simonton.

An Ogden officer sustained a gunshot injury in last week’s incident.

Sube said officials are aware of the emotional toll those sorts of incidents can have on officers.

“In response, we are dedicated to providing officers with the necessary resources and support they need,” he said. “Also, rest assured, despite these challenges, we remain committed to maintaining the highest standard of police service to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.”

He also lauded police for their efforts in light of the dangers they face.

“They face difficult circumstances that put their lives on the line day in and day out to protect and serve our community. Our department stands behind them, recognizes the challegnes they encounter in circumstances like these,” Sube said.

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