- Six officers were legally justified in a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy.
- The incident occurred Jan. 3, 2025, involving multiple Salt Lake County police agencies.
- Prosecutors say the boy exchanged gunfire with police before being shot and killed.
SOUTH JORDAN — Six police officers were legally justified in shooting and killing a 17-year-old boy who exchanged shots with police, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.
On Jan. 3, 2025, a 17-year-old boy — who police and prosecutors will only identify by his initials C.H. — was shot and killed following an incident that involved police officers from several Salt Lake County agencies.
South Jordan police were originally called to investigate a possible car burglary near 9400 South and 4600 West about 10:20 p.m. About 30 minutes after officers began searching the area, they found a male inside the back of a car parked in a driveway near 9500 South and 5400 West.
The boy ran and a police K-9 was sent after him.
"As K-9 Oli went after him and the officers began pursuing, the suspect fired a handgun," District Attorney Sim Gill's report states. South Jordan police officers Aaron Bass and Jesse Hooper returned fire, but then lost sight of the boy.
Backup offices and the Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter were called to assist in the search. Officers in the helicopter spotted the teen behind a shed at 9490 Loch Awe Drive.
Officers entered the house at that address and began yelling at the boy from the back door to drop his gun and surrender, the report states. The teen then jumped a fence and ran into another backyard.
"At the southwest corner of the residence, the suspect raised a handgun toward the officers, and West Jordan Police Sgt. McMullin and Murray police officer (Benjamin) Gregoire fired their weapons. The suspect fell to the ground, dropping the handgun," according to the report.
As that was happening, officers who had moved to another position saw the teen running toward them. Herriman police officer Natalie Chinea opened fire when she heard the shots from others, the report states. A sixth officer also fired a shot.
Bass, Hooper, McMullin, Gregoire, Chinea and South Salt Lake police officer Christian Medel were all found to be legally justified in using deadly force.
Gill is holding a press conference on Friday to review the results of his investigation.
This story will be updated.
