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- Damien Carter, a parole fugitive, was arrested Thursday.
- Police say Carter rolled his vehicle after a chase, shot his way out, and initially evaded capture.
MURRAY — A parole fugitive was arrested Thursday after police say he rolled his vehicle while trying to get away from officers and then shot his way out of his wrecked vehicle.
Damien Carter, 44, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of two counts of failing to stop for law enforcement, being a restricted person in possession of a weapon, and three counts of drug possession with intent to distribute.
At about 11:40 p.m. on Dec. 20, an officer spotted a man wearing a black face mask while driving through an apartment complex in Murray. After observing the vehicle make several traffic violations on 4500 South, the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over.
The car, however, took off. The officer did not pursue it. But not long after, the car was found on its hood on the northbound on-ramp to I-15 at 4500 South, according to a police booking affidavit. The car was empty and a spent shell casing was found inside.
Several agencies along with police K-9s and the Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter unsuccessfully searched for the driver.
Investigators went through the glove box and identified Carter as the possible driver and also "found that Damien is an Adult Probation and Parole fugitive" and has an "extensive violent criminal history," the affidavit states.
On Thursday, police received information that Carter was at a motel in Murray. Officers kept surveillance on the motel until they spotted him getting into a car. When police pulled up behind him and announced their presence, Carter got out and ran, the affidavit says.
"While running, Damien dropped a black loaded pistol. Damien fell to the ground and was apprehended a short distance later," according to police.
When questioned, Carter "admitted to rolling his car six times a few days ago and fleeing from the police. Damien stated after the vehicle rolled, he was trapped in the car and shot out the window. Damien stated that he ran across the freeway and hid for three hours," according to the affidavit. "Damien stated that he has had the firearm for over one week. Damien stated that he robbed someone and stole the illegal narcotics found on him and intended to sell them."
