PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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SLCPD Releases Body-Worn Camera Footage from Officer-Involved-Critical Incident

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, in compliance with Salt Lake City ordinance 2.10.200, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) released body worn camera footage of the officer-involved-critical incident (OICI) from Sunday, October 8, 2023, near 1100 East 900 South.

Statements in this release are based on a preliminary review of limited information available at the time of this writing. A thorough investigation is being conducted by an outside agency, pursuant to the OICI protocol required by state law. Additionally, the SLCPD Internal Affairs Unit will conduct a separate investigation.

The videos released today captured the OICI, as defined by city ordinance, from the body-worn cameras of three SLCPD officers.

Statement from Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown

“Our focus will always be on upholding the safety and wellbeing of our community,” said Chief Mike Brown. “Based on the evidence we have available to us today, our officers acted in the interest of public safety and relied on the information available to them during a rapidly unfolding situation. We are fortunate this incident did not result in any further harm or injury to our officers or our community members. We look forward to the conclusion of the investigations ongoing in this matter.”

Links to SLCPD BWC footage

Body Worn Camera Video 1

Body Worn Camera Video 2

Body Worn Camera Video 3

9-1-1 Calls

Link

Case Information

At 12:08 a.m. on October 8, 2023, SLC911 received a 9-1-1 call about a noise complaint at near 800 South Edison Street. The 9-1-1 caller reported that across from their address there was a party occurring at a nearby residence.

At 12:11 a.m. dispatch changed the call type from a noise complaint to a shots fired just occurred investigation because SLC911 received information about neighbors hearing gunshots.

Between 12:12 and 12:15 a.m., SLC911 received additional 9-1-1 calls reporting sounds of gunfire.

Between 12:15 a.m. – 12:17 a.m. SLCPD officers began arriving in the area to start an investigation.

At 12:17 a.m., SLC911 received a 9-1-1 call about a shooting at the Durango Bar, located at 923 South State Street.

SLCPD officers, already in the area, found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Gold Cross Ambulance transported the injured person to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

At 12:17 a.m., officers observed a car leaving the area of 923 South State Street at a high rate of speed.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in their marked police vehicles with lights and sirens activated.

The driver, a 20-year-old man, refused to stop.

The driver crashed after he failed to navigate the roundabout at 1100 East 900 South. The crash caused the car to rollover. Specific details about the crash, including the speed, remain under investigation.

BWC footage shows the car in the grass with significant body damage and smoke coming from the undercarriage. The car came to a rest with the driver’s side on the ground.

Officers found the driver and 21-year-old Douglas Rodriguez inside the car.

Several officers began a rescue attempt, which included officers physically stabilizing the car prior to the Salt Lake City Fire Department arriving.

Paramedics took the driver to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rodriguez died on scene.

The BWC footage is stopped as medical aid is rendered.

There were three SLCPD officers, all in separate patrol cars, pursuing the involved car.

All three officers were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard in any officer-involved-critical-incident.

The three officers have returned to regular duty.

There is no evidence or information to suggest that any SLCPD officer involved with this pursuit discharged their firearm or used any pursuit intervention tactics, such as a “PIT maneuver” or “stop sticks.”

The officer-involved-critical-incident is being investigated by OICI Protocol Team #3, West Valley City. An administrative investigation will also be conducted by the SLCPD Internal Affairs Unit.

West Valley City police booked the driver into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of manslaughter, felony fleeing, reckless driving, and driving without a license.

The shooting is being investigated by the SLCPD’s Gang Unit.

Links to Pertinent Information

·      Salt Lake City Police Department Use of Force Policy

·      Salt Lake City Police Department Body-Worn Camera Policy

No further information on this case is being released. Neither the PIO nor the On-Duty Watch Commander are available for interviews.

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