Provo police officer, suspect shot, both in stable condition

PROVO, Utah– A Provo police officer is in stable condition and is feeling “pretty cheerful” after having surgery following a shooting Thursday, says the Provo Police Department. Officer John Oseguera is expected to have a quick recovery. 

Provo PD also relayed the suspect involved in the shooting is in stable condition and is in police custody. The name of the suspect will not be released until he is booked into jail. 

 

The shooting occurred around 12:30 p.m. near 900 East and 800 South in Provo, “in reference to a suspicious male,” authorities said.

Sgt. Nisha King, public information officer for the Provo police, said they received “numerous” phone calls from different people about the suspect claiming he was “acting erratic.”

King stated, “a lot” of the calls were “third-party callers,” who weren’t at the scene, but were receiving information from alleged witnesses. 

The officer couldn’t specify the number of people who called. However, King said two of the callers said the suspect had a gun and that “a window had been shot out.” 

When officers arrived, Provo PD said gunfire was exchanged at the scene. 

Provo PD updates the public 

The Provo PD Chief Rich Ferguson gave an update on the situation Thursday evening. 

 

He said when officers arrived at the Vista Ridge Apartments in Provo, they encountered a male “who retreated inside of his home,” and had “at least two automatic weapons” on him. Ferguson said the man began shooting at officers, and the officers returned fire. 

During the crossfire, Oseguera, a two-year Provo PD veteran, was hit at least twice in his lower body, according to Ferguson. 

Oseguera is recovering from surgery after sustaining shrapnel wounds to the head. 

Provo Police confirm the officer involved in the shooting at the Vista Ridge Apartments was hit at least twice and has a shrapnel wound to his head. He has been stabilized at a nearby hospital. pic.twitter.com/14sUAfU73k

— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) February 25, 2021

 

Provo PD said there is no threat to the public from this incident. 

Utah County Sheriff Department leads investigation 

The Utah County Sheriff Department will be leading the investigation into the police shooting. Two police officers are currently on leave following the incident. 

David O. Leavitt, Utah County Attorney, said he has enacted “Officer Involved Critical Incident” (OICI) protocol. 

“Our prayers and our thoughts are with the injured officer and with his family,” said Leavitt. “I express my gratitude to law enforcement for the dangers they willingly face to respond to these incidents and support our investigative teams as they work to gather the facts and the evidence.”