This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A burglary suspect who was shot by a Murray police officer last weekend was released from a hospital Thursday — and then immediately booked into jail.
Joby James Romano, a 46-year-old man from Levan, was shot in the face last Sunday morning by Officer J. Haas after Romano allegedly brandished a realistic looking pellet handgun at a public park.
Sandy police — who are conducting the independent investigation into the shooting — said Romano was released from Intermountain Medical Center on Thursday, was arrested and taken to the Salt Lake County jail. He was being held on suspicion of assault against a police officer, burglary and theft.
Sandy police said that Romano allegedly went into a travel trailer on Aug. 9 and stole property. A witness called police, and followed Romano to Southwood Park at 6125 S. 725 East.
Haas, who was off duty but on his way to work, spotted Romano leaving a park restroom.
"Mr. Romano pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at Officer Haas," Sandy officials stated on Thursday. "Officer Haas pulled his duty pistol and attempted to fire as Mr. Romano ran to the east. Mr. Romano stopped a second time pointing his handgun at Officer Haas. Officer Haas fired his duty pistol striking Mr. Romano in the face."
Investigators said they later learned that what the officer thought to be a handgun was a black pellet gun. Haas was in a marked police car and was wearing a police uniform that day, according to Sandy police.
The Salt Lake District Attorney's Office will now decide whether to file charges against Romano, as well as determining whether Haas was justified in using deadly force.