K-9 dogs, air team help police locate gunman

Murray police called out K-9 dogs and an air support-team from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Thursday night to help them find a man who tried to shoot a patrol officer after a confrontation at a convenience store.

Officers responded to a suspicious person call at a Circle K, 4790 S. 500 West, about 11:15 p.m. to find three men hanging around and talking near the front door. As police approached, two of the men crossed the street. A third began talking with officer Eric Lundquist, Murray Police Sgt. Rick Thornton said.Through dispatchers, Lundquist learned the man had allegedly been driving a stolen vehicle and that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. When Lundquist attempted to arrest him, the man ran into the store and drew a small semi-automatic handgun, Thorn-ton said.

The man attempted to fire the gun, pulling the trigger several times, but it never went off. Then he fled out the rear of the store and ran from police.

Officers cordoned off the area, called for a helicopter and K-9 dogs. The man was located about 30 minutes later hiding on top of an automotive business storage shed about 50 yards from the convenience store.

A K-9 dog successfully cornered the man inside the shed, where he hid after jumping from the roof, Thornton said.

The man suffered minor injuries, but no police officers were injured, he said. The man's companions were not arrested, Thornton said.