Ogden man killed in shootout with police, officer injured after man flouted protective order
The man was shot “several times” by the emergency services and pronounced dead at the scene.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Officers from the Ogden Police Department investigate the crime scene of an officer involved in a shooting at the Washington Park apartment complex in Ogden on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Editor’s Note • This article is about suicide. If you or people you know are at risk of harming yourself, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255.
A 37-year-old man killed by police in a shooting south of Ogden-Weber Technical College “acted as if he wanted to kill himself or be killed” just before police were dispatched, an official said on Tuesday Friday.
The shooting happened after Ogden police were called to the scene of a reported breach of the protective order, Ogden Deputy Police Chief Jake Sube said during a news conference Tuesday night. The violation was reported at approximately 3:26 p.m. at the Washington Park Apartments complex at 170 N. Washington Blvd. reported.
The person protected under the order had told police that 37-year-old Brian Simonton was at her home and “acted as if he wanted to kill himself or be killed,” Ogden Police Chief Eric Young said at a news conference on Friday. The caller also informed dispatchers that Simonton was known to carry a firearm.
Upon arrival, a patrol officer hit Simonton with a pistol in the apartment complex’s parking lot, Young said. The officer repeatedly asked Simonton to drop the gun, but Simonton ignored the request and eventually shot the officer, Young said.
Other officers responded at the scene and police believe eight Ogden officers returned fire at Simonton, who continued to fire at the officers, Young said.
At some point during the shooting, the first officer to react was hit by a bullet that went through his arm and into his chest. The officer underwent surgery at a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, Young said.
Simonton was hit by “several shots” from Ogden Police officers before falling to the ground. He didn’t initially respond to police orders to move away from the gun, so a police K9 pulled Simonton out of range of the gun, Young said.
Simonton suffered “serious injuries” from the gunshots and was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. No one else was injured, but there was property damage in the apartment complex, Young said.
“I commend the victim of the first call for domestic violence for staying in a safe place and calling the police to resolve the situation,” Young said. “We believe it could have been far worse than it was.”
At the time of the shooting, Simonton had an existing warrant for his negligent assault and another warrant for “multiple weapons charges,” Young said.
The Weber District Attorney’s Critical Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting. The Weber County District Attorney will decide when body-worn camera footage of the shooting will be released, Young said.
