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Posted: 3:39 PM- Salt Lake City's top cop on Tuesday praised an off duty-police officer from Ogden, saying he prevented more people from being killed at Trolley Square on Monday.
Officer Kenneth K. Hammond, a six year veteran of the Ogden Police Department, was having dinner with his wife Monday when the shooting started, said Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank.
Burbank said the officer, who was carrying a sidearm but did not have extra magazines or equipment, sought the source of the shots and found the gunman, 18-year-old Sulejman Talovic, of Salt Lake City.
The officer exchanged fire with Talovic and contained him to one area of the mall, the chief said.
Salt Lake City police arrived at Trolley Square within three minutes of being dispatched. A SWAT team deployed and joined in the gun battle. It wasn't clear which police officers struck and killed Talovic.
Burbank said police were waiting for a determination from a medical examiner.
"There is no question that his quick actions saved people," said Burbank. A preliminary police investigation indicates that Hammond's actions prevented further casualties, according to the Ogden Police Deparment.
"The Ogden Police Department and Ogden City would like to express our sincere condolences to everyone impacted by this event," according to an Ogden news release.