Homicide Suspect Arrested After 12-Hour SWAT Standoff In Magna
Apr 28, 2021, 8:29 AM | Updated: 1:49 pm
MAGNA, Utah – A man was taken into custody early Wednesday morning after a 12-hour standoff with officers at a Magna apartment complex.
Officials with the Salt Lake City Police Department said William Henry Clark, 33, was arrested in connection to Monday’s shooting at a homeless encampment that left one man dead.
That victim was identified as 21-year-old Ryan Prendergast.
“It was a long incident for SWAT, but it worked out for the best,” said Lt. Manfred Lassig with the Unified Police Department. “Ultimately our goal is to take them into custody to where they can deal with the charges in the court system.”
Police confirm it’s the same murder from Monday at a homeless encampment off 9th south 500 west. @KSL5TV https://t.co/mNvpOCKlq3
— Felicia Martinez (@FeliciaKSL) April 28, 2021
Salt Lake City police said their violent crimes unit received information Tuesday morning that Clark was at an apartment in Magna.
As officers arrived at the Oquirrh Hills Apartments, Clark went into an apartment — that’s when SLCPD’s SWAT team was called into action.
Police said Clark’s 14-year-old son was with him, but it appeared he did not want to leave his father.
Officers used megaphones to communicate with the suspect and used gas and flashbangs before Clark left the apartment around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
A man was taken into custody this morning after barricading himself in a Magna apartment for over 11hours. Details on @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/bugX94ga2d
— Felicia Martinez (@FeliciaKSL) April 28, 2021
UPD’s SWAT team was also called in to assist.
“Salt Lake City finally did ask UPD for their swat team to relieve SLCPD swat team, and when we got out here, we started making announcements and then we proceeded to move forward with a plan to get him to surrender,” Lassig said. “Within about two hours … we were able to take him into custody.”
No lethal weapons were used and no shots were fired. Police did not release a motive but said this is an ongoing investigation.
Detective Michael Ruff with SLCPD said they were happy to have Clark off the streets but they did not believe there was a threat to the public.
“They do know each other. I’m not sure exactly how they know each other but this was not a random event. Mr. Prendergast was targeted by the suspect,” Ruff said.
He added Clark was booked into jail on multiple charges, including murder, obstruction of justice and aggravated kidnapping related to a possible carjacking as Clark was trying to get away from authorities over the last few days.
