The man arrested after firing at St. George police officers on Tuesday, forcing neighborhood evacuations and shelter-in-place orders to be issued, claimed to be under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, according to court documents.
Benjamin Lewis Hansen, 41, was arrested after firing over 150 rounds at officers, only surrendering once the home he was inside in the Little Valley area caught on fire, police said.
St. George police were called to the area of 3000 East Seegmiller Drive when a neighbor reported hearing multiple gunshots. When officers arrived on the scene, they made contact with a victim, who was still inside the home before being able to get outside.
Once the victim was outside, officers say Hansen began shooting at officers, sending them running for cover as several patrol cars were hit. After police confirmed Hansen was alone in the home, SWAT teams from St. George and Washington County were called to the scene to set up containment, all while Hansen continued firing at officers.
Residents in surrounding houses were evacuated, and others were ordered to shelter in place.
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