A camera mounted in a Utah Highway Patrol cruiser captured a weekend shooting on videotape that, detectives say, clearly shows a 17-year-old suspect pointing a gun at one of the officers.
Anthony Colwell, who was paroled two weeks ago from the Utah State Prison, was shot five times by troopers Dan Sagendorf and Warren Nelson after he allegedly shot at them during a routine traffic stop Saturday night. Neither trooper was hurt.Colwell was listed in serious but stable condition at McKay-Dee Hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to the hand, shoulder, thigh and back.
The videotape shows Colwell in the right-front seat of the car, producing and pointing a semiautomatic handgun at Sagendorf. The trooper is seen backing away while pulling his service weapon and opening fire.
Nelson is seen firing from a position at the right rear of the vehicle.
Sagendorf, 33, of Harrisville, and Nelson, 25, of Riverdale, were placed on routine administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an review of the shooting by the Weber County Attorney's Office and the UHP.
Earlier reports that Colwell may have fired his weapon may not be accurate, said Ogden police Sgt. Mike Ashment. Preliminary statements are that Colwell shot at least two rounds.
"We're still not 100 percent sure whether he shot or not," Ashment said. "We're still not done with the investigation."
Efforts to enhance the video are pending, as are gunshot residue tests to determine whether Colwell fired.
Police expected to finish their investigation by midweek.
Sagendorf had initially pulled over the vehicle driven by Colwell's girlfriend because of an expired registration.
Detectives said Sagendorf became suspicious because it appeared Colwell was trying to hide something under his seat as the trooper pulled over the vehicle.
Sagendorf got the driver's license and went back to his cruiser to check with dispatchers, said Detective Dave Lucas. His suspicions led him to call in Nelson as a backup.
Sagendorf approached the passenger-side front seat, ordering Colwell to put his hands where he could see them.
Colwell had been hiding his right hand under his jacket at his waist before that hand came out holding the gun, Lucas said.