Police: Man shot, killed by Provo officers after shooting at them

PROVO, Utah — Utah County authorities are investigating a police shooting that left a 48-year-old man dead in Provo.

Sgt. Nick Dupaix with the Provo Police Department said the shooting occurred after officers attempted to make a traffic stop Tuesday night in west Provo.

The suspect fled the scene at high speeds, and Dupaix said officers decided not to pursue the car.

You can see where bullets shattered a window and damaged a car in a Provo driveway – just steps from where the officers and suspect exchanged gunfire. Two officers are now on paid administrative leave. #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/KoO7XVTHUf

— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) August 25, 2021

Police then located the vehicle near 300 North and 900 West around 10 p.m. and attempted to make contact with the driver, who was the only person in the car.

Authorities said the suspect reportedly exited the car and pointed a gun at officers, who fired shots and struck the suspect.

“We don’t quite know if the vehicle was quite stopped but shots were fired toward the officer as he was trying to make contact,” Dupaix said. “As soon shots were fired officers attempted to render aid to the driver of that vehicle was shortly transported to the Utah Valley (Hospital) and approximately an hour later, they pronounced him deceased.”

The Utah County Officer-Involved Critical Incident Team is investigating the shooting and Dupaix said two officers have been placed on administrative leave, per department protocol.

Authorities have not said why the man, who later identified as Paul Rassmussen, was pulled over.