2 officers killed, 1 injured in Tremonton shooting, officers, suspect identified
Aug 18, 2025, 6:13 AM | Updated: 5:29 pm
TREMONTON — Two Tremonton Garland police officers were killed on Sunday night, after responding to multiple 911 calls in a Tremonton neighborhood. A third deputy and a K9 were also injured by gunfire at the scene, according to Brigham City police.
The officers were identified as Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada.
According to an update given early Monday morning, multiple 911 hang-up calls had come in just after 9 p.m. Sunday near 700 North and 200 East, near North Park Elementary. The first two officers arrived and requested backup units.
“They requested additional units and then stopped answering their radio,” said Det. Crystal Beck, with Brigham City police.
Police later said the first officer arrived and began speaking with an occupant in the home when a man, identified later as Ryan Bate, 32, exited the home with a “high-powered rifle,” according to the police affidavit.
Bate shot the first responding officer, killing him. The second was also fatally shot.
The third to respond was a deputy with the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office, who responded with a K9. Bate allegedly fired multiple rounds at the deputy’s car, hitting both him and the K9 inside.
The deputy and K9 stayed in the patrol car and were later evacuated to a nearby hospital and veterinary clinic where they both were recovering in fair condition on Monday morning.
Finally, it was bystanders at the scene who convinced Bate to put down his weapon, and he was taken into custody, Beck said.
Several agencies responded, including officers from Box Elder, Weber, and Cache counties. SWAT teams also responded “due to the level of violence” to clear the home afterward, verifying there was no continued threat.
According to the affidavit, police discovered that Bate had assaulted his wife by slamming her head into a door frame before officers arrived, which prompted a 911 domestic violence call.
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A shelter-in-place order remained active for hours in the area of 700 North and 200 East as the investigation continued.
“Tragedies like these rock an entire community, state and even nation,” police said Monday. “These officers and their families served theirs every day, and they will forever be remembered as heroes.”
According to the affidavit, Bate was booked into the Box Elder County Jail on suspicion of two counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and assault.
