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Patrick Frank Whitten

Age : 31

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 07/31/2024

Location : Unknown

City : Price

County : Carbon

State : Utah

Agency : Price Police Department, Helper Police Department, and the Carbon County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during domestic call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/30/2024 at approximately 11:36 p.m., officers from the Price Police Department, Helper Police Department, and the Carbon County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported domestic violence incident at a residence just outside the Price city limits. During the investigation, officers learned that 31-year-old Patrick Frank Whitten had left the residence before they arrived. Officers were informed that Whitten was potentially armed, and a search of the surrounding property was initiated.
According to investigators, officers searched approximately three acres of property for about three hours before locating Whitten hiding inside a small outdoor lean-to or animal enclosure near the residence. Officers ordered him to drop his firearm. Investigators said Whitten ignored repeated commands, held the handgun in a low-ready position with both hands, and then raised it toward the officers. Five officers from the responding agencies fired their weapons, striking Whitten multiple times. He was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The Utah State Bureau of Investigation conducted the Officer Involved Critical Incident investigation. Investigators reported that the original domestic violence call alleged Whitten had been under the influence of a controlled substance and had threatened to kill his spouse before leaving the residence armed.
In September 2024, Carbon County Attorney Christian Bryner completed his review of the investigation and determined that the five officers who fired their weapons were legally justified in using deadly force because they reasonably believed Whitten posed an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury after raising the firearm toward them. No criminal charges were filed against the officers. Their identities have not been publicly released.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ksl.com/article/51085708/police-shoot-kill-man-near-price-but-release-few-details