PROVO — Rumblings of revenge against police who shot and killed a man in his motel room have been heard by local law enforcement officers.
Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit Det. Brent Jex said his department has confirmed through several sources that members of the white supremacist Soldiers of Aryan Culture are furious over the death of one of their top leaders, 31-year-old Scott Biswell.
"Basically the biggest thing is that they're looking to avenge Biswell's death, and that's all there is to it," Jex said.
Biswell was considered one of three "generals" in the Soldiers of Aryan Culture, which is a gang that found its roots among inmates at the Utah state prison. West Valley police say Biswell joined the gang while in prison and maintained contact while in and out of state custody.
Jex said the gang is unique to Utah and that its members have vowed revenge against Utah County officers for Biswell's death.
Biswell was shot and killed by SWAT team members at a Provo motel after he reportedly pointed a gun at officers trying to serve a $250,000 felony warrant Aug. 11. At the time, Biswell was in bed with girlfriend Kortni Grimm, 23, who was caught in the gunfire. Grimm, who was also wanted on a felony warrant, later died at a Utah County hospital.
Police say those who knew Biswell had heard him say he would not be taken alive by police.
Jex said information about the threat of revenge has come from several police departments throughout the Wasatch Front, as well as rumors from within the prison and from family of gang members.
Provo is downplaying the threats.
"We have not received any specific threats targeting any of our officers," said Provo City spokesman Mike Mower. "It seems to be a lot more hearsay than hard fact."
Mower said they take any threat against an officer seriously and that the police department is looking into it.
Jex said while such threats are rarely followed through, officials at the FBI offices in Provo and Salt Lake City have been put on notice.
"A good chunk of it is probably all talk, but there might be somebody dumb enough to try something," Jex said.
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