FARMINGTON, Utah — One person was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon in an officer-involved incident following a traffic stop in Farmington.
The individual who died was later identified as 25-year-old Chase Allan.
Farmington police chief Eric Johnsen said an officer originally stopped a vehicle due to a missing license plate just before 3:30 p.m.
While in the parking lot of the post office during the stop, the officer called for assistance from other police units. Moments later, after other officers arrived, Johnsen said a call for shots fired was then put out.
While in the parking lot of the post office during the stop, the officer called for assistance from other police units. Moments later, after other officers arrived, Johnsen said a call for shots fired was then put out.
"From what I know the person was still inside the car when shots were fired," said Johnsen.
It's not known what led to officers firing and injuring Allan.
"The officers started doing CPR immediately, our fire department is right there literally two buildings away, they were on scene fast," said Johnsen
Allan was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A blue sedan with multiple bullet holes on the passenger side was seen sitting in the parking lot near the post office building.
None of the police officers were injured during the shooting.
The chief was asked Wednesday night if there was any indication as to why his officers may have felt threatened and opened fire.
"Other than that's how we train and I know my guys and if they fired shots, I'm certain they were in fear of their life," said Johnsen.
Johnsen says the protocol team will work to answer whether Allan had a weapon in the vehicle at the time the shooting occurred.
Johnsen said the five Farmington police officers involved in the shooting will now be placed under administrative leave during an investigation. The move will be difficult for the small department as the officers make up 20% of the force. The chief added that the incident is the third police-involved shooting in Farmington within the last calendar year.
Watch full police chief briefing on Farmington incident below:
Ruby Stevens works and lives nearby.
"I could not come up the street to get to work, because I only live a block and a half over here," said Stevens.
Stevens says she moved to Farmington about a year ago, calling where she lives a quiet, little neighborhood.
She says incidents like this can, unfortunately, happen anywhere.
"As long as my community is safe, we'll be all right," said Stevens.
Officials closed off roads near the shooting scene from State Street and 200 East to Main Street and 100 East while an investigation was conducted.
