Police: Detective shoots armed motorist during traffic stop

Thu, Apr 30, 2020 (8:16 a.m.)

A gang unit detective shot and killed an armed motorist he pulled over Wednesday night after spotting him driving erratically on Interstate 15, according to Metro Police. 

The detective, who was in an unmarked Metro vehicle, saw the driver headed north on the freeway, near Cheyenne Avenue, about 8:45 p.m. and started following him, Capt. Nichole Splinter said.

The motorist exited at Apex and headed west, Splinter said. The detective, who had requested marked patrol units to pull over the vehicle, instead conducted the stop himself using his emergency equipment, she said.

The detective shot the motorist, who got out of the vehicle and pulled out a gun, Splinter said.

Backup officers arrived and provided first aid on the man, who was taken to University Medical Center, where he died, Splinter said.

It was the sixth Metro-involved shooting this year, the second which was fatal. 

Under Metro policy, the detective, who was placed on routine administrative leave, will be identified within 48 hours.

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