Lehi chase ends with a shootout

LEHI — A history of violence surrounding a former Lehi police officer culminated Friday when his ex-wife's boyfriend was shot twice after a high-speed car chase through city streets, police and witnesses say.

Art Henderson, 38, had lost his wife to divorce last year after she alleged he held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her in front of her parents' house, the same spot where Friday's incident culminated.

He lost his job with the Lehi Police Department in July 2004 after he was charged with assault over an altercation with a man who knew his ex-wife. A conviction in that case put his policing future in jeopardy — the Utah Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy (POST) held a review hearing Jan. 20 and a decision on the status of his certification was pending Friday.

Henderson was due in court Monday for a hearing for a new trial in the assault case. Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson said Henderson faces yet another possible charge from a previous altercation with the man police say Henderson shot Friday.

Police say Henderson used a handgun to shoot Craig Trimble, 35, and to shoot at his ex-wife, Natalie Barnes Henderson. Then, they say, he used a rifle to shoot at former friend and police colleague Alma Owens and other Lehi police officers near 950 W. 1500 North.

Two officers shot Henderson in the leg, Lehi Police Sgt. Darren Paul said. None of the injuries were life threatening.

An Air Med helicopter transported Trimble to a Salt Lake hospital with two gunshot wounds. An ambulance took Henderson to American Fork Hospital.

Natalie Henderson, 37, was uninjured.

Paul said police haven't ruled out the possibility Henderson was attempting to commit suicide via a police shootout.

"It looks that way," Paul said. "I'd be speculating, but it sure has the elements of suicide by cop."Police did not attempt to spare Henderson, he added, saying the shots in the leg instead of his chest are accounted for by the distance of the shots, which were about a half a block.

Paul said police expected to transfer Henderson Friday night to the Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated attempted murder. He is expected to appear in court Monday for a bail hearing.

The incident began shortly before 9:30 a.m. at Natalie Henderson's home near where the car chase ended. Police say Trimble and Natalie Henderson fled in a Chrysler Sebring and Art Henderson followed them in a Toyota pickup truck.