Police: Man killed outside Utah temple had machete

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A gun-toting man fatally shot by police outside a Mormon Temple on Christmas Day also was carrying a machete, as well as a rifle, shotguns and multiple swords, police said Monday.West Jordan police said Daniel Pogue, 54, of South Jordan, was chopping up the fence surrounding the building. They said he had tossed the other weapons over a wall that surrounded the Oquirrh Mountain Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Officers arrived Saturday at the temple after a 911 caller reported Pogue was wandering around the grounds with a gun.Police said the man earlier had a verbal confrontation with another man on the temple grounds.An officer fired a single shot at Pogue after he hid behind his car, then ran with a loaded pump-style shotgun toward a group of people. Police said Pogue refused orders to drop the weapon, and the officer feared Pogue would harm the bystanders.Police found Pogue had more than 50 rounds of ammunition for the weapons.Police remained uncertain about Pogue’s motive, but said family members have said Pogue had a history of mental health problems.The officer who fired the fatal shot was placed on administrative leave pending an internal review and an investigation by the Salt Lake County district attorney’s office.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!