SUNDAY 4/11/2021 11:52 a.m.
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – A Salt Lake County Sheriff’s deputy has lost his eye while another has been released from the hospital after both were shot in the face Saturday morning.
According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, at 10:29 a.m. Saturday, two deputies were performing routine perimeter security when they encountered a man in his 30s on the lawn of the Sheriff’s Office Building.
Authorities say the man produced a handgun and began to fire at the deputies as they approached him. Both deputies were shot in the face during an exchange of gunfire.
At least one deputy returned fire, but Sheriff Rosie Rivera says it is unclear which deputy discharged their weapon. The suspect, 31-year-old Joshua Johnson, was confirmed dead by the Officer Involved Critical Incident protocol team.
Court documents show Johnson was on probation at the time of the incident for possesion or use of a controlled substance and using false personal informaiton with the intent to be another person.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputies involved as Deputy Joshua Buerke and Deputy Leland Grossett.
Deputy Buerke was shot in the check and released from the hospital on Saturday. Deputy Grossett was shot in the eye. He underwent surgery Saturday and, while he is now stable, lost his eye as a result of the incident.
“I want to thank the public for their outpouring of support and well wishes for our deputies,” says Sheriff Rivera. “We ask that the public and media respect the privacy of our deputies and their families during this difficult time.”
During a Saturday press conference, which you can watch above, Sheriff Rivera called on the community to keep the deputies in their thoughts and prayers.
“The job of law enforcement is becoming more and more dangerous,” she commented. “I am grateful to have deputies like these who are willing to put their lives on the line in the name of public safety.”
Sheriff gives update after two deputies shot
SATURDAY 4/10/2021 2:41 p.m.
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Sheriff Rivera of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office updated Utahns on the state of its injured deputies, Saturday afternoon.
While one deputy remains in critical condition after being shot in the eye, he is stable, shared Sheriff Rivera.
The deputy who had been shot in the face will be released from the hospital Saturday in stable condition.
“We’re very fortunate that he is able to go home, and yes, he has a bullet that grazed right through his cheek…,” explained the Sheriff.
According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, at 10:29 a.m. Saturday two deputies were performing routine perimeter security when they encountered a man in his 30s on the lawn of the Sheriff’s Office Building.
Authorities say the man produced a handgun and began to fire at the deputies as they approached him. Both deputies were shot in the face.
At least one deputy returned fire. “Because it’s under investigation, I don’t know which deputy shot, or both, but there was an exchange between the deputies and the individual,” Sheriff Rivera explained.
The suspect died, but his identity is unknown at this time.
“The job of law enforcement is becoming more and more dangerous,” said Sheriff Rivera. “I am grateful to have deputies like these who are willing to put their lives on the line in the name of public saftey.”
“It’s devastating any time something like this happens,” Sheriff Rivera continued. “I ask the community to join me in keeping these deputies in our thoughts and prayers.”
Watch the latest updates in the news conference held by Sheriff Rivera at the top of this story.
Two deputies shot in Salt Lake County Metro Jail incident, suspect dead
SATURDAY 4/10/2021 12:20 p.m.
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Two Salt Lake County deputies are in the hospital after being shot near the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
Sheriff Rivera says one deputy was shot in the face and is in stable condition, while another deputy is in critical condition after being shot in the eye.
Sheriff Rivera says the suspect is dead, but wouldn’t go into further detail about incident at this time.
The shooting occurred at the north side of the parking lot near a bus stop, and the deputies are part of a “campus security team,” says Sheriff Rivera.
Sheriff Rivera says she plans to hold another briefing at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
700 West through 900 West will be closed to east/west traffic until further notice, north/south traffic will remain open.
ABC4 is on scene and will continue to update this story as it develops.
ORIGINAL STORY: Officers respond to shooting near Salt Lake County Metro Jail
SATURDAY 4/10/2021 10:33 a.m.
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) – Officers from multiple jurisdictions are responding to a report of gunshots near a local jail.
In a phone call with the UPD, dispatch confirmed to ABC4 that officers were called to the scene of a “shots fired” report near the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
UPD clarified with ABC4 that it is not the investigating agency. Instead, the department is assisting South Salt Lake Police Department and OICI team #4.
Officials with UPD say Sheriff Rivera will be holding a press briefing “regarding the shooting at the jail/sheriff’s office building,” however the time of the briefing is not yet confirmed.
While little is known about the incident at the time, officials ask the public to stay clear of the area near 900 West 3300 South.
ABC4 has a crew on the scene and will update the story as more information becomes available.
