The Salt Lake County sheriff on Saturday released new details about the two deputies who were admitted to the hospital and who were allegedly involved in a shooting on the lawn of the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
The victims were identified as Deputy Joshua Buerke and Deputy Leland Grossett, while the suspect was identified as 31-year-old Joshua Michael Johnson.
UTAH deputies shot in the head during the shooting outside the jail
Sheriff Rosie Rivera told reporters on Saturday that Buerke and Grossett were part of a campus security team patrolling the area when they encountered Johnson on the lawn north of the Sheriff’s Office building.
“We do not know what he did here on the ground,” Rivera said, adding that officials believe Johnson may have experienced homelessness. “The delegates are going to investigate him when something happens.”
Johnson, who was exchanging arms with the officers, died during the incident, Rivera added.
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According to the latest police update on Sunday, Deputy Buerke, who was shot in the cheek during the incident, was discharged from hospital after treatment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Grossett underwent surgery Saturday after being shot in the eye. He is currently in hospital but is in a stable condition and is not losing his eye.
“I want to thank the public for their outpouring of support and wishes for our deputies,” Rivera said in a statement. “We ask that the public and media respect the privacy of our deputies and their families during this difficult time.”
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Following the shooting on Saturday, Governor Spencer Cox, Utah, called the incident “a horrific tragedy” and that he and Mayor Jenny Wilson prayed for the two deputies.
Wilson added that everyone in Salt Lake County “is grateful for the sacrifice law enforcement brings every day” and that their “hearts and hopes are with the deputies and their families.”
The SLCO noted that it provides peer support to any officer in Salt Lake County who needs assistance in dealing with the incident. Johnson’s motive for the incident is still unknown and is being investigated.