Dramatic Footage of Officer Involved Shooting in Emery County

Mark Stoddard died following an altercation with officers on Dec. 21, 2019. Following review, the Emery County Attorney's Office has released its findings on the case. Based on the evidence, the Emery County Attorney's Office concluded that the two officers were justified in using deadly force and will not be criminally charged.

According to the findings, Stoddard was 40 years old and residing in Huntington at the time of the incident. That day, Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk received information that a suspect was driving their truck erratically, which he relayed to dispatch. Two officers were dispatched to the scene for a possible drunk/reckless driver case and were warned that the subject might be armed, according to the reporting party.

A traffic stop was initiated at 5:19 p.m. "The suspect did not immediately pull over, but did so after a short pursuit," the findings report reads. The report states that Stoddard approached the deputy's vehicle and pointed the gun at the deputy's head. The suspect questioned why he had been stopped, stating that he just wanted to go home, before returning to his vehicle and leaving. The suspect reportedly pointed the firearm at the deputy multiple times during the encounter.

The deputy initiated another pursuit of the vehicle, which lasted for several miles. Another officer deployed spikes on the road in an attempt to stop the suspect. Upon seeing the officer that had established the spikes, Stoddard reportedly turned around and proceeded eastbound, the way he had come. More spike were deployed, which the suspect ran over, resulting in the two front tires being deflated.

The suspect vehicle then pulled over for the final time, and the suspect exited his vehicle with a firearm in hand. "Multiple officers ordered the suspect to drop his weapon continually, clearly and repeatedly," the findings report states. "The suspect persisted by aiming, dry firing, chambering, ejecting the magazine, reinserting the magazine and firing the firearm at officers. The evidence clearly indicates the suspect was attempting to kill officers and was not merely attempting suicide."

The officers then opened fire until the suspect was not longer able to pose a threat before moving in and securing the firearm. Medical attention was initiated by an officer who also serves as a paramedic, but the suspect was pronounced dead on scene as a result of nine gunshot wounds.

A toxicology of the suspect's blood showed a BAC of .30 and the presence of THC, which indicates recent usage, THC metabolite and cotinine (metabolite of nicotine). Based on these findings, the Emery County Attorney's Office concluded that the two officers were justified in using deadly force against the suspect. The suspect was given numerous clear and concise verbal warnings to stop and drop his firearm by the officers prior to any use of deadly force.

Stoddard, born on June 3, 1979, was a longtime resident of Emery County. He was known for his love of the outdoors, especially activities throughout Huntington Canyon.