SALT LAKE CITY — Body camera video released by Salt Lake City police shows the chaotic moments that led to officers firing at a 37-year-old man earlier this month.
On Nov. 8, the department's Mobile Crisis Outreach Team responded to a home at 900 East and 1700 South just after 11:30 a.m. The team assists officers dealing with those who are experiencing a form of mental crisis.
After arriving at the location, employees with the outreach team spoke with officers about the man, identified as George Gulla, and his recent drug use and prior police interactions.
In the video, a mental health professional can be seen speaking with Gulla as he lays on a bed inside a makeshift room. After several minutes of conversation, Gulla became agitated and leans forward while making a move towards an unseen object, forcing officers to fire multiple rounds towards him.
The mental health professional speaking with Gulla barely moves out of the way before officers open fire.
*** WARNING: The full body cam video below may be disturbing to some ***
After shots were fired from the two officers, Gulla can be heard in the background of the body cam video calling for help. The officers are seen rendering assistance to him after the scene has been safely cleared.
Neither of the officers was injured during the incident and police said a weapon was recovered from Gulla's bed.
Gulla is still hospitalized, but is expected to survive. An investigation into the shooting is currently underway.
He was shot 11 times by police, according to court documents.
*** WARNING: The full body cam video below may be disturbing to some ***
“This incident is reflective of how a situation can turn dangerous with no warning. The collaboration our police department has with our own social workers and mental health professionals as well as the mental health service providers in our community is critical to more fully addressing the needs of Salt Lake City, and I am proud of that work," said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown.
Gulla faces multiple charges, including two counts of assault on a peace officer and aggravated assault.
According to court documents, a relative initially requested assistance from police in a planned intervention for Gulla. Relatives reported Gulla had been using drugs and had made threats to kill people, document state.
The goal of the intervention was to try and get Gulla out his residence and into the hospital for treatment, documents state.
Gulla was not in favor of moving out, documents state, and he told police he reached for a pellet gun because he "wasn't thinking clearly and felt threatened and cornered."
