January 3, 2025

Media Contact Information

PolicePIO@slc.gov

https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Provides Update on Officer-Involved-Critical Incident, Suspect Identity Released

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) is providing an update on an officer-involved-critical-incident (OICI).

The suspect in this case is identified as 27-year-old Tanner Cottrell.

At approximately 3:16 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, officers assigned to the SLCPD’s Liberty Patrol Division responded to a home near 2650 East 2100 South on reports of a structure fire. The Salt Lake City Fire Department (SLCFD) later determined the fire to be the result of arson.

On Thursday, January 2, 2025, the SLCPD learned that Cottrell was the likely suspect in the aggravated arson and that he may have taken firearms and a ballistic vest from the crime scene.

The SLCPD also learned Cottrell was likely driving a stolen Ford F-350.

Around 11:30 p.m., on Thursday, January 2, 2024, the SLCPD learned an outside agency located Cottrell driving the stolen pickup. The exact time and location of when law enforcement located the stolen Ford F-350 is unknown, at this time.

Cottrell drove the stolen Ford F-350 into Salt Lake City.

At some point, the law enforcement officers following Cottrell reported that he fired shots from his vehicle. In response, several law enforcement agencies dispatched their armored tactical vehicles.

Multiple law enforcement agencies continued to follow Cottrell through Salt Lake City, into North Salt Lake, and then back into Salt Lake City—where there were additional reports of shots being fired from Cottrell’s vehicle.

During the pursuit, law enforcement used spike strips to flatten the truck’s tires, but Cottrell continued driving.

The pursuit ended around 12:30 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, near 12400 South Redwood Road in Riverton, Utah when Cottrell crashed his truck.

The crash caused the stolen truck to flip and land on its top.

At the termination point, there was an officer-involved-critical-incident involving six (6) law enforcement agencies, including the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Cottrell died on-scene.

The medical examiner’s office will determine the cause and manner of death.

The SLCPD can confirm that seven (7) of its officers were involved in the officer-involved-critical-incident.

The other agencies involved in the officer-involved-critical-incident are:

·       Taylorsville Police Department

·       Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake

·       Utah County Sheriff’s Office

·       Utah Highway Patrol

·       West Valley City Police Department

There were no other reported injuries to officers or community members from this incident.

OICI Protocol Team 4, led by West Jordan Police, will be leading this investigation.

There is no other information available for release at this time.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

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