Brother opens up about Salt Lake City officer-involved shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Police have released few details about a Wednesday morning shooting in downtown Salt Lake City, but the brother of the man who was shot is now sharing what he believes happened.

Twenty-year-old Roger Cantu was shot outside his home near 600 East and 100 South. It was Roger's brother, Dan Cantu, who called dispatch saying Roger Cantu was suicidal.

Dan Cantu said he did not see what happened, but he heard the gunshots. He said his brother was looking for police to end his life, and that Roger Cantu was going through some difficult times.

Court records show Roger Cantu was charged with drug possession in December 2009. When he failed to show up to court, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Dan Cantu said when police arrived, Roger Cantu ran down the driveway. He charged at the officers with a large stick in his hands.

It's unclear what else Roger Cantu did or said at that point, but whatever it was, it caused police to open fire and critically injure him.

"They know to take the appropriate action to protect themselves or protect others that may be involved. As far as this case is concerned, I don't know the particulars about it, because investigators are still looking into it," said Salt Lake police detective Pat Wilkinson.

Officers say the shooting is still under investigation, and that's why no new details have been released.

Police are not confirming Dan Cantu's story that his brother had a stick in his hands. They say only one officer fired his gun, and he is on administrative leave — a routine procedure when an officer fires his gun during an incident.

Dan Cantu says he has visited his brother in the hospital. Roger Cantu is no longer in critical condition and is expected to fully recover.

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