Manhunt over after shots fired in Taylorsville officer-involved shooting

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — Police in Taylorsville say a manhunt is now over after a tense morning that began with shots fired at police officers near 2200 West 4700 South. 

Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam said the man who fired those shots at an officer, then fled on foot, has died by suicide, ending an hours-long manhunt. 

Shots fired in Taylorsville 

Cottam said a Taylorsville police officer attempted to stop a man in the area who looked suspicious in the early hours of Nov. 4, around 4:30 a.m. The suspect then ran away. 

“During that foot pursuit, the suspect turned to the officer and fired several rounds. I’m not sure what type of weapon at this point. The officer did return fire and then retreated, took cover,” said Cottam. 

The officer was not hurt.

BREAKING: Large police presence in Taylorsville, near 4700 S 2200 W. All we know is shots were fired. Expecting police update shortly. @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/xEuNNi9qw6

— Nick Wyatt (@NickWyattNews) November 4, 2021

Taylorsville Police updating us on an incident happening near 4700 S 2200 W. Police from several agencies have a large area under containment while they search for a man who they say exchanged gunshots with officers. Police are asking people in area to shelter in place @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/Z1GNtRTqlO

— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyPhoto) November 4, 2021

DPS chopper is circling over the scene as we get more info at the staging area. pic.twitter.com/DZxrp8Idf1

— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyPhoto) November 4, 2021

DEVELOPING: Dozens of officers and police dogs searching for suspect in Taylorsville after shots exchanged between officer and suspect. @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/2dzgOQb1dS

— Nick Wyatt (@NickWyattNews) November 4, 2021

Just saw a handful of officers with a police dog sprint south on 2200 West from 4700 South in Taylorsville where the search is on for a suspect who fired multiple shots at police. @kslnewsradio

— Nick Wyatt (@NickWyattNews) November 4, 2021

A Department of Public Safety helicopter circled the area while officers continued the search. Residents were told to shelter in their homes. A number of agencies responded to assist with K-9 units. 

Officers searching the area discovered a resident of a nearby retirement home was struck in the collarbone area by pieces of glass or building fragments caused by the stray bullets. 

The resident was taken to a nearby family member’s residence. Police say injuries were minor. 

But after about three hours, Cottam told reporters on the scene the suspect, who was hiding in a window well, took his own life. 

“Any time death is involved, none of us want that outcome,” Cottam said. 

Details of the suspect have not yet been released. 

Now suspect is dead confirmed by police… #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/795c2D7Jds

— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) November 4, 2021

Taylorsville police chief confirms this search is over. The suspect was hiding in the window well of someone’s house. Officers approached him and the man took his own life. pic.twitter.com/zMfVM306d9

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) November 4, 2021

UPDATE: Taylorsville PD confirms suspect took his own life with a gun about a block from 4700 South 2200 West after evading officers and search dogs for approximately three hours. @kslnewsradio

— Nick Wyatt (@NickWyattNews) November 4, 2021

The investigation now continues in two locations. Bullets, casings, and other evidence is being recovered along 4700 South. Crime scene investigators are also studying the neighborhood area where the suspect turned his gun on himself. 

Taylorsville police have a stretch of this neighborhood blocked off where we believe officers tracked this morning’s suspect and he eventually took his own life. @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/8bp2Q18emS

— Nick Wyatt (@NickWyattNews) November 4, 2021