TREMONTON, Utah — Two police officers were killed and another injured, along with a K-9, after a suspect opened fire following what was described as a domestic disturbance Sunday night in Tremonton.
The officers have been identified as Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Ofc. Eric Estrada. Flags in the state have been ordered to be flown at half-staff in Sorensen and Estrada's honor.
The suspect, 32-year-old Ryan Michael Bate, was arrested.
The shooting of a law enforcement officer is the first in Box Elder County in over 12 years, with the last incident involving an officer who was not injured.
Watch: Officials discuss latest on shooting that killed 2 officers
Tremonton Garland Police officers first responded to the disturbance in the area of 700 North and 200 East, near North Park Elementary School, around 9:30 p.m. According to police, someone had called 911 multiple times before hanging up, prompting the response.
Upon arriving at the location, one officer was speaking with an occupant of the home when Bate emerged from inside and shot at the officer, striking and killing him.
A second officer was then struck and killed by Bate's gunfire. Law enforcement officials have not distinguished in which order Sorensen and Estrada were killed.
Officer shooting suspect identified, booked on aggravated murder charges:
Deputy Mike Allred from the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office, who was there to assist, was fired upon by Bate as he arrived. While in his vehicle, Allred and his K-9 — Azula, a three-year-old female Belgian Malinois — were struck by the gunfire. Both stayed in the vehicle and were able to be evacuated. Allred has since been released from the hospital, and the K-9 is reported to be in fair condition.
After the shootings, bystanders were able to convince Bate to put down his weapon and he was taken into custody. Due to the level of violence at the scene, a SWAT team cleared the home to verify there was no continued threat.
Bate was taken to the Box Elder County Jail on charges of aggravated murder. The Weber County Attorney's Office is coordinating the ongoing investigation.
Sorensen was 56 years old with nearly two decades of experience as a law enforcement officer and had recently been promoted to the rank of sergeant, with his swearing-in scheduled for Friday. He is survived by his wife, Lanette, and their children.
A GoFundMe for Sorensen's family has been established by the community. You can find more here.
Estrada started his law enforcement career in 2017, working with the Logan Police Department, Box Elder County Sheriff's Office and North Park Police Department before joining the Tremonton Police Department earlier this year. The 31-year-old is survived by his wife, Brittney, and their two children.
"Tragedies like these rock an entire community, state and even nation," the Tremonton Garldan Police Department wrote in a release. "These officers and their families served theirs every day, and they will forever be remembered as heroes. Our thoughts and prays are with the Tremonton Garland Police Department, Box Elder County Sheriff's Office, and the families of those involved."
A resident of the area drove up to the scene near his home when a bullet struck his car.
"I thought there was somebody lighting off fireworks," said Randy Kidman. "I come up the road, and I saw two cop cars and something in the road, and decided it wasn't a good situation. I went to go back out, and when I went to back out, I caught a bullet through the driver's side door and it went out my windshield. So I dove-tailed and ran and ran home and called my wife and told her to come outside, make sure I didn't have no holes in me. It's pretty freaky."
Neighbor details how his car was shot during Tremonton incident:
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