KEARNS — Police are seeking a possibly armed fugitive who allegedly tried to run over officers before leading them on a high-speed chase early Saturday.
Unified police officers noticed a car known to be driven by a man named John Jesse Samora just before 3 a.m. near 5400 S. 4015 West, Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said.
Hoyal said the officers followed the vehicle until the driver — who matched Samora's description — tried to lose the officers by pulling into a relatively busy parking lot at 4100 W. 5400 South. When officers noticed the car was parked, they began to approach its driver on foot.
"The driver pulled out of the stall trying to strike the officers," Hoyal said. "One officer fired a shot at the driver as he attempted to strike the officers. The suspect then fled the parking lot in the car."
Officers from Taylorsville Police saw the vehicle as it fled the scene and attempted to stop the car, but the suspect fled. The high-speed chase, which reached speeds of more than 70 miles per hour, went north on Bangerter Highway to state Route 201, then east on the 201 before exiting on Redwood Road.
"As the pursuit went into Salt Lake City, it was terminated for the public's safety as the suspect was going through red lights at 70 miles per hour," Hoyal said. "The suspect is still outstanding at this time."
It is unknown if the man was injured in the incident. Police are asking that anyone with information about the man call 801-743-7000.
"(Samora) is a paroled, known fugitive that officers have been looking for," Hoyal said. "He's known to be armed and has made threats against law enforcement."
An investigation into the shooting is being conducted by the Unified Police Department and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The officer sustained minor injuries in the incident, caused by the breaking glass when he fired his weapon.
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