Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A Murray man was shot in the hand after allegedly attacking police.
- Joshua Vanhorn used aerosol and lighter to threaten officers during an eviction.
- He armed himself with an axe, prompting police to fire; investigation is ongoing.
MURRAY — A 34-year-old man was shot in the hand by a police officer Thursday after Murray police say he refused to leave an apartment and tried to burn responding officers with aerosol spray and a lighter.
Joshua Matthew Vanhorn was arrested for investigation of five counts of aggravated assault, assault by a prisoner, two counts of interference with a public servant and trespassing.
Just after noon, Murray police say they responded to 163 W. Fireclay Avenue to assist in removing a person from the property due to a court-ordered eviction. When officers arrived at the apartment, they found a man had barricaded himself in a bedroom and refused to leave. Officers attempted to talk to Vanhorn but he refused to follow their orders, according to a police booking affidavit.
"At one point, the subject used an aerosol spray and lighter to propel flames toward officers, and they believed he was attempting to light the bedroom on fire," a statement from the police department says.
The affidavit further states that Vanhorn "utilized an aerosol spray and flame as a flame thrower to project flames through the crack in the door at two Murray officers and a constable deputy outside."
Officers evacuated the apartment building as a precaution and notified the Murray Fire Department of the situation. Officers then broke a window outside the bedroom and deployed "pepper balls" to try to get the man to come out, the statement says.
Vanhorn then tried to attack officers, police said. He "armed himself with a large axe and multiple sharp force instruments. (Vanhorn) continued to refuse officer commands, and while holding the axe, threw two sharp force instruments at the officers through the window. One sharp force object narrowly missed a Murray officer, as he was able to move out of the way. The other sharp force object struck a constable deputy in his lower extremities," according to the affidavit.
An officer fired his gun, striking Vanhorn's hand, according to police.
The booking affidavit does not mention the police shooting. But states Vanhorn eventually claimed he was ready to surrender. But when officers entered the apartment he "resisted arrest by clenching onto a metal pole, forcing the officers to pry his hands loose" and then kicked an officer in the leg after he was handcuffed, the affidavit states.
Vanhorn was transported to a hospital to treat the injuries on his hand. He allegedly told police after his arrest that he wanted the officers to shoot him and "that he had no reason to live and will likely attempt this behavior again if he is released," according to the affidavit.
The officer who shot Vanhorn has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, police said.
Contributing: Pat Reavy, KSL.com
