MILLCREEK, Utah -- Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has ruled the shooting of a Millcreek man on Feb. 3 justified by officers from the Unified Police Department.
On the day of the shooting, police arrived in Millcreek to find a man, identified as 56-year-old Marc Neal, pacing outside of his parent's home holding a gun. Police say they found out the gun was fake but felt their lives were at risk due to the situation.
Gill said due to the risk officers perceived, officers were justified to shoot Neal.
"It was not unreasonable to think their lives and the lives of their fellow officers were at risk," Gill said.
Gill stated police tried for 12 minutes to talk to Neal before six officers fired their weapons after he pulled the gun at them.
The gun was still in Neal's hands as they approached. When they got close enough, they discovered the firearm was fake. Gill says the fake gun looked real to police until they got close enough.
"He [Neal] pointed [the gun] to officer Shrodder and said you’ll be first," Gill said. He also stated Neal's mom heard him say he was going to do a "murder-suicide"
Gill says Neal had a history of mental illness and was under the influence during the incident.
"It's tragic, it's absolutely tragic in the sense that you may have someone that may have their mental health compromised who may be on drugs but… at the same time, I have officers who are responding to an actual domestic situation," Gill said, "where the persons who are reporting are saying its a real gun."
Gill says the DA's office will re-open the investigation if any new information becomes available.
