Police shoot man at Taylorsville home

UPDATE: Police held a news conference in Taylorsville concerning the officer involved shooting.

The original call reported “a male inside a home having some type of mental episode, he was also suicidal, he was armed with a knife inside the house, destroying property and causing some self inflicted wounds,” according to Aaron Chesire of Taylorsville Police Department.

The man was identified as Alex Boren.

Police and fire authorities were dispatched to the scene where they said they found Boren and the caller in the home. The caller was a resident of the home, police say they were acquainted with Boren, who did not live there. They were the only people in the house. Police said Boren had at least one knife and a pair of scissors.

Officers said they entered the home and contacted Boren, using “multiple less lethal options that were not effective,” until ultimately officers discharged their firearms, Chesire said.

They said other methods included a stun gun and a 40 mm round. When asked if there was any kind of mental health professional on the scene, Chesire said “there were officers on the scene that were CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officers.”

As of 3 p.m. Saturday, Boren was still hospitalized in critical condition.

He said he did not have information about whether Boren threatened officers or if body camera footage will be released to the public as that is still part of the investigation.

“These things are very dynamic, a lot of times people in crisis are unpredictable and that’s why we have less lethal options and things like that, that can hopefully help with that sort of thing, but they’re unpredictable, that’s the hard part about it,” Chesire said.

He believes that the caller was trying to help Boren as a friend by making the emergency call.

Two officers involved were put on leave while the incident is being investigated.

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TAYLORSVILLE, Utah —A man was in critical condition after police shot him during a confrontation at a home in Taylorsville late Friday.

Sgt. Jake Hill with the Taylorsville Police Department said officers responded to a call at the home near 4400 South 2200 West at approximately 11:30 p.m.

The caller said a man at the home was suicidal.

“It was reported to the officers that he suffered from some PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and was possibly schizophrenic,” Hill said. “He was armed and had cut his neck and had potentially some other wounds.”

A news release said the 35-year-old man threatened police with scissors and a “large, bowie-type knife.”

The officers made contact with the man. “Once inside the home, there was an altercation where, ultimately the officers, two officers, discharged their firearms,” Hill said.

A news release said the officers tried to use a number of “less-lethal tools” but they did not calm the man.

It’s not clear how many shots were fired. Five officers were at the scene.

The man is hospitalized and in critical condition.

Police have not released his name.

The Salt Lake County Officer Involved Critical Incident Task Force is now investigating the shooting along with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

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Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Other community-based resources

• NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
• Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
• Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
• The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
• Latino Behavioral Health Services
• Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and response for employers.