TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A Utah man is in custody following a shooting and car chase that started in South Salt Lake and led police to Taylorsville. One Taylorsville police officer was injured in the crash that ended the chase but has since been released from the hospital. Carson Thain Moffitt, 39, was arrested Wednesday night.
According to court documents, the investigation started at Granite Park Junior High School in South Salt Lake when police were called for a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found several spent AR-15 style shell casings in the middle of the road.
The Granite School District advised officers that security camera footage showed the suspect's vehicle, which appeared to be a Subaru WRX.
Shortly after police learned which vehicle to be on the lookout for, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper observed a Subaru WRX speeding in excess of 100 miles per hour near 6000 South and I-15. The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued to gain speed before they exited the interstate in Taylorsville.
Using the license plate from the speeding vehicle, police were able to find a home address for Moffitt. When they went to the home to make contact, investigators say Moffitt's brother answered the door and attempted to find out if Carson was home.
Troopers report they could hear screaming before shots were fired from inside the residence. The brother returned to the troopers, saying that Carson had a black rifle and pointed it at him multiple times. The shooting would continue for several minutes sporadically.
Eventually, the garage door of the home opened and investigators witnessed Moffitt drive out inside of the Subaru. It wasn't until a Taylorsville officer crashed into Moffitt that he could be taken into custody. The officer who was involved in the crash was taken to the hospital with minor injuries but was released.
Inside the vehicle, police say they found an AR-style rifle with a drum magazine and several spent shell casings in the rear seat. Moffitt, who is a registered sex offender, is a restricted person under both state and federal codes.
Carson Thain Moffitt is being held without bail and faces charges of failure to respond to officers signal to stop, felony discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, reckless driving, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
