OGDEN, Utah — The four Ogden police officers shown in a viral video using force to subdue a suspect were ruled to be justified in their actions following an investigation, according to the department.
During a briefing Tuesday, Chief Eric Young shared body camera video of the incident that took place over the weekend, as well as background information about the suspect who was identified as Shawn Sims.
Watch one of the police body cam videos below (WARNING: Some images and language may be offensive to some viewers):
The video taken by a bystander on Saturday afternoon shows the officers surrounding Sims, with two officers seen hitting him while he's laying on the ground.
Young said his officers were in the area when they saw Sims walking in traffic on Washington Boulevard near 17th Street. The officers approached Sims to learn why he was in the road, flashing their overhead police lights.
"Mr. Sims appeared to observe the officers and immediately reached into his waistband, leading officers to believe that he was accessing a gun," Young explained, saying that Sims withdrew his hand from his waistband and pushed it under his shirt as if he was pointing a weapon at officers.
When Sims turned and ran, Young said he continued to push his hand into his waistband.
After Sims refused orders, the officers decided to "take him to the ground and commanded him to release his hands from his waistband," said Young.
Watch the other police body cam video below (WARNING: Some images and language may be offensive to some viewers):
During the attempt to subdue Sims, the officers attempted to get his hands out from under his stomach.
"Officers struck Sims with fists in the head, shoulder and back area numerous times to try and gain compliance," explained Young, before adding that another officer deployed his taser on two separate occasions during the incident.
Young added that the officers said Sims appeared to be under the influence, and during a phone call with his mother while in custody, he said he was "basically on everything under the sun from Meth to MDMA, and stuff."
Sims allegedly told an officer at the jail that he'd had a lot of problems with his mind and was hoping that the Ogden Police Department would shoot him. After being shown sympathy by the officer, Sims allegedly said, "you guys with OPD are cool, I'm just a little messed up in the head."
Watch the full Ogden police briefing below:
According to the chief, Sims had had prior interactions with Ogden officers.
Following the investigation, which Young relayed was nearly concluded by the time the bystander video was released, the chief said the officers were justified in their actions.
"I watched the video and I read the interaction from the After-Action Investigation and I do believe those officers were in fear for their life," said Young. "They were trying to bring the situation as quickly under control as possible."
Police say Sims suffered facial fractures and bleeding behind the eye, while his mother, Marsha Quintana, told FOX 13 News that her son would never see out of his right eye again due to broken orbital sockets.
"It took my breath away to see that happen to my child, and then I completely went to anger," said Quintana.
Quintana said she watched the body camera video that was released on Tuesday.
"I still believe there was excessive force used, it was unnecessary, and I will push forward with this and file a complaint," said Quintana.
Chief Young says he has asked the Weber County Attorney's Office to conduct a criminal review of the event, in addition to the ongoing criminal case against Sims. He says this is to ensure no laws were violated by his officers.
