Police: 1 Killed After SLC Officers Respond To Hostage Situation
Jul 25, 2020, 11:24 AM | Updated: 11:12 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Officials with the Salt Lake City Police Department said one man was shot and killed after officers responded to a hostage situation outside a Smith’s grocery store near 500 East and 500 South.
Police said they responded to two men fighting outside the store around 9:20 a.m. Saturday.
Dispatch told officers one of the men had a knife that was “the size of a forearm.” Once they arrived on scene, police said there was a hostage situation.
Wilking said two officers fired their weapons and then began to render medical aid immediately thereafter.
“Our officers discharged their weapons, striking and killing one individual,” said Greg Wilking, detective with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
#UPDATE @slcpd say the preliminary investigation shows a man was attempting to hold another man hostage.
Once the family is notified, officials will release the name of the man that was shot and killed.#KSLTV pic.twitter.com/dkqry7R90q
— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) July 25, 2020
One man was killed while the other man was taken into custody for questioning.
The deceased person was later identified as 34-year-old Andrew Jacob Preece.
Wilking confirmed a knife found at the scene, but SLC officers were keeping their distance because the West Valley City Police Department will be investigating the incident, per protocol.
Around 9:40 a.m. @slcpd got called to the area near Smith’s on 5 E. Two men were fighting. The 9-1-1 call included mention of a weapon.
Investigation of the shooting now goes to West Valley City per standard protocol when an officer is involved. #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/n0I8C1JeTc
— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) July 25, 2020
“We are here frequently, yes,” said Wilking.
Salt Lake City Police said they field a lot of calls to the area on 500 South and 500 East.
“Shoplifting, trespassing, intoxicated individuals. A lot of different calls,” said Wilking. “I wouldn’t say it is a problem area by any means.”
This is the type of call they never want to have to respond to, and it isn’t a call they want to make to family members.
“It is a traumatic incident for the family of person that is deceased, and it all around is just traumatic,” he said.
Both officers would have been wearing body cameras, but Wilking said he was not sure if they were activated at the time of the incident.
