Salt Lake County DA won’t file charges after deadly use of force against armed man by West Jordan police officer
Jul 11, 2025, 6:38 PM
One person is dead after a two-car crash on Redwood Road Tuesday night, temporarily closing both directions of the road. (Matt Brooks, KSL.com)
(Matt Brooks, KSL.com)
SALT LAKE CITY — Based on a review of the use of deadly force by a West Jordan police officer on Nov. 10, 2024, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said he will not press charges against the officer.
The case involves Fernando Fernandez, 46.
On Nov. 10, 2024, at 1:36 a.m., police were called to a West Jordan residence by a woman who said Fernandez was stealing her car. On their way to the residence, officers learned Fernandez had returned to the home and that he was “threatening suicide by cop,” according to the DA’s summary of facts and findings. At that time, responding police were told there were five children at the residence.
As police arrived, they reported seeing a man run inside the home with a large knife, which was later determined to be a sword. Police would later report that Fernandez was standing at the door of the house, “telling them to shoot him.” It was at this time that, according to police, they learned Fernandez was schizophrenic.
An officer carrying a riot shield identified himself to Fernandez and told him to put the sword down. At that point, Fernandez entered the home where police said at least one of the children was still inside.
When Fernandez reappeared at the door and opened it, he was holding the sword. That’s when the officer fired his handgun three times.
However, when officers entered the home and medically assessed Fernandez, they found no gunshot wounds on his body.
Gill said his decision not to file charges was based on an interview with the officer, information from witnesses, physical evidence, a review of the 911 call and dispatch records, and a review of body-worn and dash camera recordings of the incident.
The DA also believes that if a criminal charge were filed against the officer, a jury would likely determine that his use of deadly force was necessary to prevent death or serious injury to the officer or an individual other than the suspect.
In relation to this incident, Fernandez was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.
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