Two dead, one critically injured in South Salt Lake hostage situation

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah – Two people were killed and another was critically injured after what police said was a hostage situation in South Salt Lake on Sunday.

South Salt Lake Police Chief Jack Carruth said family members called to check on their grandparents at their home on Stanley Avenue when a man they did not know answered the phone. They said he refused to identify himself. They called police to report a suspicious person and other family members came to the house.

“As officers were arriving to the scene, additional family members showed up, made contact with the residents, the elderly couple inside, were greeted by a male that they did not know or recognize. They claimed they could not identify the male. That male then at that point identified to them that they had taken the couple hostage,” Carruth said.

South Salt Lake Police called for help from the Unified Police SWAT team. At one point, before SWAT officers arrived, Carruth said the man fired a shot through a window.

“Negotiations began with the male. After some choice words, the male made it very clear his intent was to harm or to kill the individuals inside the residence,” Carruth said.

When SWAT officers arrived and approached the house, there was shouting, then four gunshots.

“At some point in time, that team made contact or engaged that suspect and shots were fired. That individual was killed on scene,” Carruth said.

Inside the house, Carruth said police found the grandmother dead and the grandfather critically injured. They believe those injuries came from the suspected hostage-taker. Now, police are trying to piece together what led to the situation. Carruth said the man made some comments to police on a recorded line. The man’s connection to the house is unclear. Carruth said there may be a family connection.

The Officer Involved Critical Incident Task Force will investigate the shooting.