PROVO — Scott Biswell knew he was a wanted man, and shortly before SWAT team members broke down the door to a Provo motel room last week to serve a warrant, police say Biswell had said he wouldn't be taken alive.
In the flash of a moment, Biswell was dead. Police say while they attempted to serve a $250,000 arrest warrant for felony assault, firearm possession and criminal mischief, Biswell drew a gun on them.
Caught in harm's way was 23-year-old Kortni Grimm, who was in bed next to Biswell at that deadly moment. Grimm was wounded and later died at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Police say there was a $50,000 felony warrant for her arrest as well.
In the aftermath, Provo city has found itself caught in the difficult position of dealing with the death of an unarmed fugitive.
For Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson, the incident has proved difficult to unravel.
"It's pretty complicated," Bryson said. "As far as we know, she didn't have a gun."
Past police-involved shootings in Utah County have been fairly clear-cut compared to this one, Bryson said. Most police shootings have involved a suspect who reportedly drew a weapon on police. In each case, the Utah County attorney has cleared police of any wrongdoing.
But with the death of an unarmed person, Bryson said it may be a month before his office can reach any conclusions.
Provo Police Chief Craig Geslison has defended the actions of his officers as appropriate in dealing with a violent felon.
City officials are dealing with the concern over the legal liability of the situation.
"We regret the loss of any human life, but we also regret that our officers were placed in the position by Mr. Biswell where they were forced to take action," said Provo city spokesman Mike Mower.
According to West Valley police, Biswell was known for his short temper. He had been in and out of prison for a variety of felony crimes, including aggravated assaults, robbery and parole violations. While in prison, Biswell was believed to have aligned himself with a white supremacist gang, with which police say he maintained contact while he was on the outside. A few days before the shooting, Biswell had been added to Utah's most wanted list.
Grimm had a history of drug-related crimes and attempted forgeries. Associates who knew Grimm said she was a troubled foster child who ran away at 14 to live on her own. She had been charged in 3rd District Court last February with multiple felonies for allegedly leaving bags of methamphetamine next to her 4-month-old baby, who has since been taken into state custody and adopted out.
E-mail: gfattag@desnews.com