Salt Lake City Police Release Body-Worn Camera Footage of Officer Involved Shooting of Suicidal Man

Today, in compliance with Salt Lake City ordinance 2.10.200, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) is releasing body-worn camera (BWC) footage from a case that resulted in an officer involved critical incident (OICI) protocol activation. At 6:37 p.m., Salt Lake City police officers responded to a person with a weapon call near 150 West Lucy Avenue. A caller told SLC911 a man, later identified as 33-year-old Thomas Nelson, was suicidal and brandished a weapon to a neighbor. The caller told dispatch Nelson had a handgun in his waistband. Officers arrived within 3 minutes of being dispatched and took positions near the front of the house. At 6:42 p.m. SLC911 advised officers Nelson had gone inside the house and closed the door. Officers requested additional resources and advised dispatch they were taking cover behind a truck on the street. An officer on scene began to try and contact Nelson by phone. Shortly after this Nelson came out the front door of the house. Nelson dropped items he was carrying and pulled a gun out of the waistband area of his pants. Officers immediately gave repeated commands to Nelson to drop the gun. Nelson racked the slide of the gun and then moved the gun upwards. Four officers shot at Nelson. He was struck and died on scene. The officers involved have been placed on administrative as is standard practice. No officers or other individuals were injured. Protocol Team 3, led by the West Valley City Police Department, is conducting an independent investigation. No further information can be released at this time. The Salt Lake City Police Department