Vernal Police officer shot multiple times by ‘intoxicated’ suspect, flown to hospital
VERNAL, Utah (ABC4) — A Vernal Police officer was shot multiple times Saturday night while responding to a report of an intoxicated individual brandishing a firearm, according to the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office.
At around 11:20 p.m. on April 27, police responded to a report of an intoxicated male threatening a neighbor with a gun at 750 North and approximately 400 East in Vernal.
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Upon arrival of law enforcement, the suspect opened fire on police and sheriff vehicles, police said. A Vernal Police officer was reportedly struck multiple times as he attempted to get out of his vehicle.
That officer and responding deputies then returned fire, striking the suspect, a press release states. The suspect “briefly fled,” but was apprehended and taken into custody near the scene shortly after, police said.
The officer that was shot reportedly drove himself to a local hospital and was later flown to a hospital on the Wasatch Front for further treatment. The suspect was also taken to the hospital and later flown to the Wasatch Front for treatment.
Additionally, a sheriff deputy sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital before being released.
The Utah State Bureau of Investigations is investigating this incident.
No further information is available at this time.
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