UTA police: Officer shoots robbery suspect who drew knife

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah Transit Authority Police Department officer shot a man who brandished a knife near a Salt Lake City TRAX station Thursday night, according to officials.

UTA spokesperson Carl Arky said the shooting happened just after 9 p.m. near 900 South and 200 West.

Two UTA police officers were on foot near the station when they were approached by an individual who said they were robbed.

The individual pointed the officers west, and they approached an individual who they thought matched the description of the suspect.

“Found somebody that matched the description of the individual that was allegedly responsible for the robbery, made contact with him, he drew his knife, our officer drew his weapon,” Arky said.

The officer then fired his weapon, striking the suspect, who was identified as a 50-year-old man.

The suspect was hospitalized in critical condition, and the shooting is under investigation.

“You have to find out what did happen tonight and you know, what took place when the officers made contact with the individual,” Arky said. “Any law enforcement agency will tell you that they try to resolve things as peacefully as they possibly can, and I am sure that was what the intent of these two officers was tonight.”

He added the West Valley City Police Department will handle the investigation, as state protocol requires an outside agency to investigate officer-involved shootings.

“We’re just gonna have to wait and see what comes through in the investigation, let West Valley City take care of that,” Arky said.

TRAX and UTA bus services were not disrupted during the shooting or investigation.

“It’s been pretty busy tonight, a lot of people on board, so fortunately service wasn’t disrupted,” Arky said.

Police did not say if the individual who claimed they were robbed was injured in the incident.