Police: Man dies in chase and shooting in West Jordan

WEST JORDAN – What began as a domestic violence call Friday night escalated when a suspect, identified by police as Nicholas Kemp, began shooting at responding officers.

Kemp later died from injuries sustained in the gun battle, West Jordan Police Sergeant Andrew Hercules said Saturday, but no further details about those injuries were provided.

On Friday, police were called to the area of ​​8700 S. 1300 West. Kemp fled from police in a car on 1300 West and fired at the officers, who returned fire. A bystander, Diane Taylor, told KSL-TV she was walking her dog when she heard the sirens approaching and tried to flee down a side street to avoid pursuit.

“When I turned around, everything happened so fast and they were coming very fast. I heard shots, probably four or five. I couldn’t tell if it was the guy they were chasing, if he was shooting back or if they were shooting forward. I couldn’t tell,” Taylor said.

She said she was hit in the shoulder by what police later said was possibly shrapnel from the firefight.

“Luckily, it may have hit the ground first, then it bounced up and hit me in the shoulder. But that’s all I know,” Taylor said. She added that the officer who cared for her “was very caring. He called an ambulance, then they took my vitals and made sure I was OK. I was OK, but I was grateful for the care. They took it seriously.”

For Kemp, however, the chase ended tragically.

No details were released about where the chase ended, but Hercules said Kemp was eventually taken into custody and taken to the hospital, where he died.

West Valley City Police were called to the scene to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting, as is protocol for any critical incident involving police.

This story will be updated.