Salt Lake City police confirm they are looking into a
shooting incident involving an off-duty Unified Police Department officer
moonlighting as a security guard.
Salt Lake City police Detective Carlie Wiechman said the
officer’s gun reportedly went off during a struggle with a trespasser he
confronted about 5 a.m. Thursday outside the Deseret Industries store near 100
East and 700 South. The suspect fled on foot.
"The weapon accidentally discharged during the struggle. There were
no injuries and Salt Lake City police officers captured the suspect soon
thereafter in the [same] area," Wiechman said.
Whether the officer had drawn his weapon or if it discharged
during a struggle for possession of weapon was not immediately determined.
In addition to the Salt Lake City Police Department
investigation, the incident has sparked an internal review at UPD, though UPD
Lt. Justin Hoyal said Thursday that the officer in question remained on active
duty.
The 31-year-old male suspect was booked into Salt Lake
County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing, theft, resisting arrest
and fleeing law officers.