Police: Provo Officer Dies After Being Shot While Attempting to Arrest Wanted Fugitive

OREM, Utah — A Provo police officer has died after being shot by a suspect late Saturday evening, officials report.

Provo authorities identified the officer as 29-year-old Joseph Shinners. Shinners is survived by his wife and 1-year-old son.

The shooting happened in Orem near the Bed Bath and Beyond located at 50 W. University Parkway, dispatchers report.

At around 10 p.m. officers got a tip of a location of a wanted fugitive, Det. Nick Dupaix with the Provo Police Dept. said. They were attempting to arrest him when the officer was shot.

In a video sent to KSL 5 TV from Delene Ostler, who witnessed the incident, we can see about nine to 10 police officers rushing over to a stopped white pickup truck. One person is pulled from the passenger side of the vehicle and placed on the sidewalk.

Officers work on pulling another person from the vehicle.

One officer moves away from the passenger side of the pickup truck and kneels down a few feet away. Another officer attends to the officer who is kneeling. The injured officer is then lifted into the back of a police vehicle and rushed from the scene.

Police eventually pull the suspect out of the car and arrest him.

The officer was taken to Utah Valley Hospital in Orem where he died from his injuries, Dupaix said.

“This officer was one of the hardest working persons that we have ever had here,” Dupaix said. “He was one of the most humblest guys as well.”

Dupaix said further details, including the officer’s identity will be released around 2 p.m. Sunday, but added:

“He was always there to show someone respect as well. Didn’t matter if you were a criminal or a high-class citizen, he showed you just as much respect as any other person. And, he was always there to listen to your problems and also be proactive in solving those problems.”

News Specialist Sam Penrod was at the scene and tweeted, “The tragic scene in Orem, along University Parkway where a Provo police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty.”

The tragic scene in Orem, along University Parkway where a Provo police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/RBuajDvlpr

— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) January 6, 2019

Several officers are quietly huddled, with crime tape and officers protecting the scene in the parking lot of Lowes and Bed Bath and Beyond:

— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) January 6, 2019

It’s unclear what led up to the shooting but we can see a pick up truck covered with a portable tent since it’s raining.

— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) January 6, 2019

Sam also went to the hospital and said fellow officers and firefighters were starting to gather to support the family.

Police officers and firefighters from Provo are gathering at Utah Valley Hospital to show support to the @ProvoPolice officer’s family. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/A5reyfHgeq

— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) January 6, 2019

We will continue to update this story as more information is released.