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Suspect in SWAT standoff found dead of self-inflicted gunshot wound

Posted at 3:11 PM, May 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-23 09:57:57-04

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- SWAT and negotiators convinced an armed man to release his girlfriend during a standoff in West Valley City Sunday, and several hours later the suspect was found dead inside the residence.

The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Zachary Walmer.

A dispatch supervisor said around 2:30 p.m. that SWAT responded to a home in the area of 3500 South 4200 West, and police confirmed the situation was a domestic incident involving an armed individual where shots were fired.

Police said just after 3 p.m. that negotiators had convinced the suspect to let his girlfriend leave, and they state he had held her against her will for a period of time.

Police confirmed just before 7 p.m. that negotiations broke down and SWAT fired gas into the apartment and then entered when no one came outside. Once inside, the suspect was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities say Walmer was intoxicated during the standoff and expressed a desire for police to shoot him.

FOX 13 News does not generally cover incidents that appear to be suicide unless there is a larger impact to the public, such as in the case of a hostage situation and SWAT response.