Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MIDVALE — A Salt Lake City man was shot in the torso after he stabbed a police officer with a screwdriver in Midvale early Wednesday morning, officials said.
A Unified police officer spotted Steve Michael Darrel Hawkins, 26, "displaying suspicious behavior" in the parking lot of a closed McDonald's at 425 W. 7200 South about 1:30 a.m., according to Unified Police Sgt. Melody Gray.
The officer stopped Hawkins and a scuffle ensued. Hawkins stabbed the officer with a screwdriver, and the officer shot the man once in the left torso, Gray said — though she was unsure from where Hawkins produced the screwdriver.
Police immediately administered medical aid, and Hawkins was taken to Intermountain Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, including a black eye, Gray said. He was soon released and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.
Hawkins was booked into jail on suspicion of public intoxication, interfering with an arrest, unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault of a police officer, Gray said. He has also been charged in connection with several counts of assault in previous years, according to court records.
The police officer's ballistic vest protected him during the encounter, and he was uninjured during the stabbing, Gray said. The officer was not wearing a body camera at the time of the encounter because the department has a limited number, Gray added.
The Salt Lake City Police Department is conducting the investigation of the shooting. The officer is currently on paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.
Contributing: Caitlin Burchill, KSL TV and Nick Wyatt, KSL Newsradio
