SOUTH SALT LAKE — What began as a stolen car investigation earlier in the week ended with a police shooting in South Salt Lake Wednesday night.
The man who was shot, identified as Kevin Ballew, was taken to the hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive, officials said.
Following the shooting, three officers were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The police shooting stemmed from a stolen car investigation that began on Tuesday in American Fork. Officials said Ballew stole an impounded car he previously owned from a tow lot at 74 South 500 East.
"They saw the weapon and then they took the action they needed to take," said Lt. Stuart Fore with the American Fork Police Department. "He broke into a tow yard that had impounded his vehicle. Broke into the building where the keys were housed."
Ballew allegedly shot at the gate lock 21 times to get back his 2010 Honda Civic. Police also said he rammed the gate as he left.
Nobody was injured by the gunshots during the incident.
After the crime, officials put a call out to the public for help in locating Ballew, who they said was "armed and dangerous."
On Wednesday night, American Fork police tracked the stolen car to an apartment complex near 820 West Timbercreek Way in South Salt Lake with Ballew inside.
As resources responded to the area, American Fork police said Ballew exited the vehicle and began to walk away, which is when officers moved in to arrest him.
Ballew used "various areas and objects" to hide from the officers as a helicopter above directed them to his various locations, officials described.
"Four officers ultimately located Ballew and began to issue commands for apprehension," a release reads. "At this point, Ballew presented a threat to officers resulting in three of the officers firing their weapons, striking Ballew."
After being shot, Ballew was given life-saving medical aid and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Officials said despite his injuries, he is expected to survive.
Officials had been looking for the stolen car since Tuesday and eventually tracked it to an apartment complex near 700 West 3800 South in South Salt Lake around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
When they discovered the car, they found someone inside, who got out and ran away from officers at the scene.
During the investigation, officers found a handgun in Ballew's possession, but it is unknown if he fired his weapon at any point during the situation.
"The officers gave him ample opportunity to surrender, he chose not to," said Fore. "So the officers had to take action."
No officers were injured in the incident and they were all placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. All involved officers were from the Utah County Major Crimes Unit and the American Fork Police Department.
Following officer-involved critical incident protocols, an outside agency will take over the investigation. Officials said a Salt Lake County protocol team would oversee the incident.
