Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW

Attorney's Office Finds Darrien Hunt's Death Justified

Darien Hunt
facebook.com
Darrien Hunt was shot and killed September 10 after allegedly pulling a samurai sword on police officers.

In a press conference Monday, officials from the Utah County Attorney’s Office said they determined the shooting of 22-year-old Darrien Hunt by Saratoga Springs police officers was justified.

“All four witnesses indicate that as Mr. Hunt was speaking with the officers, [he] abruptly and without any apparent provocation withdrew the sword from its sheath and immediately swung or stabbed it toward at least one the officers,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman said.

According to Buhman, Corporal Matthew Schauerhamer and Officer Nicholas Judson drew their weapons and fired three shots at Hunt. Hunt then turned and ran, sword in hand, into a retail shopping area.

Buhman said Hunt did not drop the sword until the final, fatal shot.

“I don’t find it reasonable to require Cpl. Schauerhamer to permit a person who was armed and who has most immediately attempted to wound or kill officers to escape into a populated commercial or retail area,” Buhman said.

Buhman explained in the conference that under Utah law, Hunt’s actions constitute attempted aggravated murder or aggravated assault.

An official autopsy released last week revealed that at least four of the six shots entered Hunt's body from behind, which Buhman said is consistent with police and witness accounts.

Hunt’s family believes race played a role in his death. Media reports a lawyer for the Hunt family is expected to respond to the ruling.