DA: No charges will be filed against police in death of Taylorsville man
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TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) — Officers were justified in their use of force that led to the death of a Taylorsville man in October 2023, according to Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
Police were called to a domestic violence situation in the area of 5000 South and 3800 West. When responding, the suspect, identified as Joseph Potts, 34, had reportedly barricaded himself in the home with an assault rifle.
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During a press conference on May 23, Gill said police could hear multiple shots being fired with one officer saying they noticed Potts in bulky clothing carrying an assault rifle. Potts was later found to be fully armored and wearing a breastplate, Gill said.
Drone footage shows Potts walking out on the driveway and lying beside a car. A SWAT officer with the West Valley Police Department can be heard in body cam footage saying Potts began aiming toward the police containment line. Shortly after his observation, he takes four shots and confirms, “Shots fired by police. Suspect is down.”
Gill said Potts died on the scene with his finger behind the trigger guard of his rifle. Gill said based on the evidence available, the officer’s use of force was justified but acknowledged the tragedy.
“Anytime there is a loss of life that is a tragedy for our community. A family has been impacted,” said Gill. “And those officers who were forced into that position to use that force, it’s a tragedy for them as well. In this moment, this is a collective loss for everyone.”
The family of Potts said this was not typical of who Potts was. Potts, a veteran, was suffering from PTSD and other mental health challenges. Gill said the family wanted to share that they truly believed Potts did not want to harm anyone.
“Far too often we are failing our veterans,” said Gill. “They need further help upstream than downstream in the reality of where we are.”
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