SALT LAKE CITY - The man shot and killed by police after a chase through three counties on Interstate 15 had a long criminal history.
33-year-old Brett Knight's criminal history began in Utah County nearly a decade ago, mostly for petty crimes like theft, disorderly conduct and unlawful detention.
His latest arrest and court appearances revolved around a divorce battle, and friends say hard drugs may have been at the center of that. Knight was most recently wanted as the prime suspect in a Draper bank robbery last week.
He appears to have married, had a son and stayed out of trouble for awhile, but his problems started up again when Knight and his wife became embroiled in a bitter divorce and custody battle over their son. In March 2011, Knight was arrested in Salt Lake County for violating a protective order taken out against him by his ex-wife.
There were more civil court hearings over custody, alimony and child support payments, and friends say Knight started using heroin at some point.
Tipsters helped identify Knight as the suspect in a Draper bank robbery last Friday and a high-speed chase through three counties began. It finally stopped along northbound I-15 in Kaysville, where a standoff began.
Knight brandished a weapon and threatened officers, forcing them to open fire. He died at the scene.
Friends say they know Knight loved his son, but they say it appears his addiction became too much for him to handle, and ultimately that's what caused his death.
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