Lehi man arrested after barricading and shooting at police

LEHI, Utah — A man identified as Jason Lutu in Lehi surrendered to police on Saturday after barricading himself, shooting towards the police, and threatening suicide by cop.

According to the police report, Lehi police officers were initially responding to a possible gunshot at 81 South 1675 West at 17:20. A neighbor reported hearing gunshots and officers entered the backyard through neighboring houses to get a better view. After they found the backyard empty, they set up a perimeter and called SWAT for assistance.

Lutu’s family were in contact with Lutu and were relaying information to police dispatch. The family told Lutu police were there to help him. During this time, police heard two gunshots ten minutes apart coming from inside the residence.

Lutu initially refused to speak with officers via phone or to exit the home and told his family “it’s game time” “he wouldn’t be taken alive”. He also texted neighbors warning them to “get your family to safety” “move out of the way before I light it up”, and “Pete, get your family our before I let the bullets fly” according to the police report.

At 18:17, Lutu fired several rounds towards Lehi police. Both police officers were forced to return fire towards the house as one of the officers reported hearing bullets fly over his head, no one was hurt in the fire exchange.

The Utah County SWAT arrived on the scene and after several hours they deployed gas bombs and managed to take Jason Tutu into custody.

Lutu had an incident on Thursday after he pointed a firearm at his brother and fired a single shot.

He told investigators in jail he was suicidal and shot at police officers in hopes that they would kill him. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one charge of felony discharge of a firearm.

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