Police request murder charges for St. George man who allegedly fired over 150 rounds during standoff

ST. GEORGE — After a police standoff in a St. George neighborhood on Tuesday, police booked the man who had been shooting at police into jail.

On Wednesday morning, jail booking documents showed police requested he be charged with aggravated murder, even though nobody died at the scene.

The man, identified as Benjamin Lewis Hansen, 41, was booked into the Washington County Jail on four suggested second-degree felony aggravated murder charges along with: felony discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony; a domestic violence criminal mischief charge, a class A misdemeanor; possession of a dangerous weapon with criminal intent, a class A misdemeanor; and carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence, a class B misdemeanor.

As of Wednesday, Hansen had not been officially charged in court, and the listed charges were only what police recommended. However, court documents obtained by KSL TV showed Hansen has a criminal history in which he has previously been convicted of domestic violence-related charges.

Hansen allegedly ‘relapsed’

The police affidavit also gave a more detailed chain of events, revealing that a woman was with Hansen inside the home when he fired a gun. When police arrived just after 3 p.m., the woman came outside and met with officers.

The victim told police Hansen had “an issue with drinking alcohol” and up until recently had been six years sober.

“She stated that as of late that she and the suspect have been fighting as he has relapsed and started to drink heavily,” the affidavit states. “She stated that the suspect has not been sleeping for the past several days.”

Once the woman stepped outside with the officers, Hansen fired over 150 rounds at them, according to police estimates.

“The suspect came out of the residence only after the residence was engulfed in flames and he was suffering from smoke inhalation,” the affidavit states. “He refused to cooperate with officers and a taser had to be utilized to take him into custody.”

Once in custody, Hansen agreed to an interview, where he confirmed he fired approximately 150 rounds, and fired another round while arguing with the victim inside before police arrived.

“As Ben was being booked he indicated to jail staff that he was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine,” the affidavit states.

Officers booked Hansen into jail with the request that he not post bail due to the risk he posed against the community and his immediate family. The affidavit further states police believe there is a likelihood Hansen would face more felony charges.

Hansen’s criminal history

Hansen had been previously found guilty of multiple charges stemming from a case in 2024, where police had recorded Hansen choking the same victim. Hansen took a plea deal in the case, convicting him of assault, a class B misdemeanor; domestic violence in the presence of a child, a class B misdemeanor; damaging a communication device, a class B misdemeanor.

The plea deal allowed for Hansen’s release, with a requirement of 24 hours of community service, no law violations for a year, a fine of $690, and treatment.

Court documents showed that Hansen completed community service hours within 3 months.

In June, Hasen’s psychiatrist confirmed that he had been seeking treatment since April 2024 and had a total of seven office visits, with the last being in April 2025.  The psychiatrist said Hasen was still a patient and was planning to see him in late July.

According to court documents, Hansen’s firearm, a silver Kimber handgun and its ammo were seized by St. George police but were released to a family member in January.

An address search showed that Hansen and this family member lived at the address where the shooting and house fire started.

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This is a developing story. It will be updated.