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Police release 911 calls from shootings that left victim, suspect dead in Utah County

Posted at 6:46 PM, Dec 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-06 23:24:21-05

UTAH COUNTY -- A woman was allegedly shot and killed by an ex-boyfriend in Utah County Sunday night, and Tuesday police released audio from 911 calls detailing the terrifying ordeal that ended in the suspect's death.

Police received 911 calls Sunday night from witnesses who reported seeing an SUV chasing and even hitting a green VW Beetle, and when police arrived they found the driver of that Beetle deceased from gunshot wounds.

"So I was coming into Walmart and there's this Suburban chasing this green [Beetle], and he started speeding up towards her and hitting the back of her car," one caller told a 911 dispatcher.

The victim, 39-year-old Sue Ann Sands, had been dating the suspect, 33-year-old James Dean Smith, but ended the relationship. She filed a temporary protective order in November. Smith allegedly confronted Sands at her workplace Sunday before chasing her and shooting her.

"Yes, it's at Wal-Mart in Lehi, shots fired, cars hitting each other, now the one is taking off," another caller said. "He sideswiped the car, a little green Volkswagen, and now he's leaving the scene."

One caller said they tried to follow that vehicle when it fled.

"I'm pretty sure I'm following him in my car," the caller said.

Another caller's voice trembled as they described the aftermath of the shooting near Wal-Mart.

"I'm sure she's extremely hurt if not dead," the caller said.

A short time after the first shooting, Smith was killed in an incident where two officers discharged their weapons. It was unclear if Smith was killed by those shots or from a self-inflicted wound.

That altercation took place after police located Smith in his SUV, parked near the first shooting. A short police chase ensued, and the pursuit ended in the parking lot of a Cinemark theater.

Support is available 24/7 in Utah for those dealing with domestic violence. Visit the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition online or call 1-800-897-5465. In an emergency, dial 911.