Officers recovering from Taylorsville shooting, police union asks why it happened
Dec 3, 2021, 9:35 AM
Crime tape and a heavy police presence surround a 7-11 in Tayorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Two police officers and a suspect were shot while exchanging gunfire near 4100 S. Redwood Road. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — Officers involved in a police shooting in Taylorsville this week are recovering, but some ask questions about why this shooting happened in the first place.
Taylorsville shooting leaves suspect dead
A shooting on Wednesday left two West Valley officers wounded and fatally wounded the suspect, Anei Joker.
Read More: Two officers injured and a suspect dead in a Taylorsville shootout
Both officers are now in stable condition, according to WVC Police.
WVCPD officer was shot twice and is in stable condition. Unified officer was shot and the Chief believes has now been discharged from the hospital.
— WVC Police (@WVCPD) December 2, 2021
Criminal history of suspect
Joker had a criminal history before this event. He’d previously pled guilty after shooting another young man in 2019, according to an article from the Deseret News.
A judge sentenced Joker to serve prison time for the event, but a plea deal reduced that charge to a misdemeanor.
He was released and put on probation a little over a year after Joker was sentenced, according to an article from KSL.com.
Violent offenders given lenience
The Utah Fraternal Order of Police is asking tough questions about why there are violent offenders back out on the streets.
This morning we’re learning more about how a deadly shootout between police and a wanted man played out in Taylorsville.
Two officers were shot and a suspect killed. @TamaraVaifanua has details this morning on @KSL5TV. pic.twitter.com/vfCkUJlJxL
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) December 3, 2021
President of the Utah FOP Brent Jex told KSL TV that he hoped this would be an example of why violent offenders shouldn’t be cut slack.
Officers from the Unified Police are still investigating the incident, reported Sheriff Rosie Rivera with UPD.
The injured UPD officer left the hospital and should make a full recovery.
The West Valley City PD officer is stable and still recovering at the hospital, said Rivera.
