VERNAL, Utah — A Vernal City Police officer remains in the hospital in stable condition after exchanging fire with a suspect Saturday night.
The officer was later identified by officials as Sgt. Chad Watt, a 25-year veteran "who has dedicated his entire career serving Vernal city," officials stated.
On Monday, the suspect, Rookus Curry, 27, was charged arrested with Attempted Aggravated Murder and felony discharge of a firearm with serious bodily injury, both first-degree felonies, along with aggravated assault.
According to the Uintah County Sheriff's Office, the shooting happened around 11:20 p.m. Saturday when officers were called to the area of 750 North 400 East on reports of an intoxicated man threatening a neighbor with a firearm.
Court documents claim Curry confronted a neighbor about a property dispute and the situation escalated to him becoming hostile and pulling a pistol from his hoodie.
"[Curry] pointed it at [the neighbor's] head and chambered a round," documents state,
As the two men fought, a witness called authorities for help.
Curry allegedly calmed down and began walking away from the argument and back to his own home when police arrived.
A Uintah County Deputy and Sgt. Watt with the Vernal Police Department responded to the scene and were met by Curry firing his weapon at their vehicles, documents state.
Curry fired at the officers, striking the Sgt. Watt multiple times as he exited his vehicle, officials said. He and the deputy returned fire, hitting Curry, who then tried to run before being taken into custody.
Sgt. Watt then drove himself to a local hospital before being flown to a hospital in northern Utah. Curry was also flown to the hospital for treatment with serious to critical injuries.
Both Sgt. Watt and Curry are expected to survive. The officer remains at the hospital in northern Utah in stable condition, officials updated.
The Uintah County Sheriff's Deputy also sustained minor injuries, but was later released from a local hospital.
Officials said in an update that the medical costs of Sgt. Watt will be covered by city insurance, but community members are welcome to donate funds to support his family as he has a "lengthy and challenging road ahead."
Residents can donate directly to the family Venmo account (@Watt-1999) or make donations in person at the police station.
"Your generosity will help alleviate the financial burdens the Watt family will face as Sergeant Watt focuses on healing," officials said in the latest update. "Once again, we thank you for your unwavering support and ask that you continue to keep Chad and his family in your thoughts and prayers."
The Utah State Bureau of Investigation investigating the shooting.
