CEDAR CITY, Utah — A suspect in an assault investigation is in critical condition after he suffered several gunshot wounds as he attempted to flee from police in Iron County Sunday night.
According to the Critical Incident Task Force that serves Beaver, Garfield and Iron counties, Cedar City Police responded to a call about an assault in progress around 8 p.m.
"Before Cedar City Police Officers arrived on the scene, the 36-year-old adult male, Larry Joseph Lee Tessier, fled in a vehicle. Cedar City Police Officers located and pursued Tessier. Tessier drove recklessly on the roadways and was a danger to the motoring public," a news release from the task force says.
Law enforcement officers used tire spikes to try to stop Tessier's vehicle, but he continued to flee. Police also used a couple of PIT (pursuit intervention technique) maneuvers on the vehicle, but still didn't cause the vehicle to stop.
"Preliminary investigation suggests Tessier’s vehicle made contact with a law enforcement vehicle as he attempted again to flee. At some point during this engagement, four (4) law enforcement officers discharged their weapons," the news release says.
Tessier suffered several gunshot wounds and officers began life-saving treatment.
"Officers on scene began life-saving treatment. Tessier was transported to Cedar City Hospital and later flown to Dixie Regional Medical Center for further treatment of his injuries," the news release states.
The Critical Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting, per protocol. The four officers who opened fire have been placed on administrative leave.
Iron County deputies and Enoch City officers assisted Cedar City Police in the pursuit.
