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Authorities identify man shot during scuffle with Unified Police officer in Midvale

Posted at 6:23 AM, Aug 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-15 14:25:10-04

MIDVALE, Utah -- A man was taken to a hospital after an officer-involved shooting in Midvale early Wednesday morning.

Steve Michael Darrel Hawkins.

Police identified that man later Wednesday as 26-year-old Steve Michael Darrel Hawkins of Salt Lake City.

Unified Police say things began around 1:30 a.m. at a McDonald's near 7200 South and I-15 in Midvale.

A sergeant on patrol noticed a man who was acting erratically in the parking lot of the fast food restaurant, which was closed at the time.

The sergeant approached the man and a scuffle ensued, UPD says, and Hawkins tried to attack the sergeant, who fired one shot and wounded the man.

Hawkins was initially transported to a hospital in critical condition, though police later said they do not believe his injuries are life-threatening.

The sergeant involved in the altercation and shooting was not injured. The officer's identity has not been released.

Sgt. Melody Gray with Unified Police say they have few further details to release as of Wednesday morning.

"So obviously this investigation is just starting, these do take several hours," she said. "The officers will need to be interviewed, as well as any potential witnesses."

The McDonald's has since reopened.

Under Utah law, all shootings or other critical incidents involving police are investigated by an Officer Involved Critical Incident Team, which is staffed by police from numerous agencies.  The officer in question is routinely placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.