LEWISTON, Utah — The day after a car crash led to a shooting and ensuing SWAT standoff that shut down U.S. 91 for several hours, police have identified the suspect who was shot as well as the first responder who is believed to have exchanged gunfire with the man.
According to the Logan City Police Department, things began around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday when an erratic driver crashed on Highway 91 and ruptured a large natural gas line.
The driver of that vehicle has now been identified as 30-year-old Cade M. Austin of Preston, Idaho, and police stated that when emergency medical responders approached the vehicle Austin was not cooperative and pointed a firearm at the EMTs who were responding.
Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Hunt, Smithfield City Fire Department, was present, and the man is also a Utah concealed weapon licensee and a reserve police officer with North Park Police Department, according to the press release.
The press release states: “He was carrying a firearm at the time of the incident. Logan City Detectives and State Crime lab technicians are still piecing together the sequence of events, but it is believed there was an exchange of gun fire, followed by a rapid retreat of all personnel to positions of cover.”
A stand-off then ensued, as Austin remained in his car. He appeared to be wounded in the exchange of gunfire, but the release states the man continued to wave what appeared to be a gun and that the natural gas being expelled made the situation more dangerous.
SWAT personnel from Cache County and Logan City responded, and about an hour into the stand-off Austin appeared to fall unconscious. He was subsequently taken to a Logan area hospital, and from there he was flown by medical helicopter to a facility in Ogden. Police stated Tuesday the man suffered at least one gunshot wound.
Wednesday, the man was listed as being in good condition at Ogden Regional Medical Center.
Police in Logan said that, while Hunt is a reserve police officer, because Hunt was not working in that capacity but rather as a medical responder at the time, the incident is not being investigated as an officer-involved shooting.
