Deputies shoot Utah County gunman

LINCOLN BEACH, Utah County — Deputies shot and killed a 50-year-old man who they say pointed a gun at them Tuesday near the south end of Utah Lake.

The suicidal man called 911 about 9:30 a.m. and said he had taken pills, said Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Darren Gilbert. A dispatcher heard six shots and then labored breathing.

The breathing sound eventually stopped as the line stayed open for an hour and a half, Gilbert said. Detectives did not say Tuesday whether anything or anyone, including the victim, was shot or injured at that time.

Investigators found the man by tracing his cell-phone signal and using an airplane to spot his pickup truck about three miles from Lincoln Beach boat harbor. When they pulled up to check on him, he rammed one of their vehicles, Gilbert said. The officer involved in the accident was not injured.

The man then led officers on a mile-and-a-half chase along Lincoln Beach Road toward the boat harbor. He eventually stopped, got out and pointed a gun directly at the officers, Gilbert said. Two deputies opened fire. The man was declared dead at the scene.

The man's name was not released Tuesday, pending notification of family members. He was a Utah County resident, Gilbert said.

The officers involved in the shooting were placed on standard paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

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