PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

July 15, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

SLCPD Release Body-Worn Footage from June 29 Officer-Involved-Shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, in compliance with Salt Lake City ordinance 2.10.200, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) is releasing body-worn-camera (BWC) footage of the officer-involved-critical incident (OICI) from June 29, 2024, near 5650 West 700 South.

Statements in this release are based on a preliminary review of limited information available at the time of writing. A thorough investigation is being conducted by an outside agency, pursuant to the OICI protocol required by state law. Additionally, the SLCPD Internal Affairs Unit will conduct a separate investigation.

The videos released today captured the OICI, as defined by city ordinance, from the body-worn-cameras of two SLCPD officers.

The suspects arrested by the Utah Highway Patrol during this incident are identified as 51-year-old Bobby Joe Caster and 39-year-old Jack Colonna.

There are multiple investigations occurring related to this officer-involved shooting. One of the aspects being considered is the possibility that the discharge of the officer’s firearm was unintentional.

The body-worn-camera footage released today ends after UHP troopers begin providing medical aid.

Statement from Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown:

“I hope our community understands that we take these matters very seriously. The Salt Lake City Police Department is committed to evaluating our performances to identify opportunities that can improve our training and outcomes. I know firsthand the challenging circumstances our officers face everyday, and I support them as they carry out their difficult and essential duties. As a department, we are grateful the injuries in this case were not life-threatening.”

Non-Emergency Call

Link

Links to SLCPD BWC footage

Body Worn Camera Video 1

Body Worn Camera Video 2

Case Information

This is the second OICI for the SLCPD in calendar year 2024.

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s involvement in this case began at 12:25 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, when SLC911 received a call from the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Salt Lake Communications Center (SLCC).

SLCC notified SLC911 that troopers with the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) needed a K9 unit to respond to 5650 West 700 South for an agency assist.

Salt Lake City Police sent two officers, a police K9 unit and a patrol officer.

Prior to SLCPD’s involvement, at approximately 12:10 a.m., a trooper saw a white, Dodge Ram speeding with vehicle-equipment violations. Before the trooper could turn around, catch up, and perform a traffic stop, the truck drove away.

UHP later found the truck abandoned with two doors open, indicating the presence of at least two occupants.

At approximately 12:33 a.m., the two SLCPD officers paired up and began a K9 track.

During the track, at approximately 12:40 a.m., the K9 handler began yelling commands after finding one of the suspects, later identified as Caster. As this occurred, the other officer drew his firearm and nearly simultaneously fired one round.

Officers gave additional commands to Caster. UHP took Caster into custody.

At 12:46 a.m., the SLCPD K9 officer and other officers safely located and arrested the other suspect, Colonna.

After being treated by paramedics and medical personnel for a gunshot wound to the hand, UHP booked Caster into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a federal hold.

UHP booked Colonna into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on outstanding warrants. Colonna had no injuries related to this incident.

There were no other injuries reported.

At this point in the investigation, the Salt Lake City Police Department is not aware of any weapons being located on or around either suspect.

The officer who fired his weapon is on paid administrative leave, a standard practice after an OICI.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

No further information on this case is being released. The Salt Lake Police Department is not available for interviews at this time.

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