Shootout during Utah drug raid kills one police officer, wounds 5

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At least one police officer was killed and five others were wounded in a shootout Wednesday night as officers tried to serve a search warrant on a house in Ogden, Utah, officials said Thursday morning.

The raid was by six officers of the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force who were seeking to search 3268 Jackson Ave. in Ogden, about 35 miles from Salt Lake City. The anti-drug team is composed of officers from local police departments, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, officials said.

According to police dispatchers, the task force blocked off the area at around 9 p.m. and confronted a suspect; a gunfight then erupted.

More details are expected at a news conference later Thursday morning.

Killed was Ogden police officer Jared Francom, a seven-year veteran who is survived by his wife and two young children, according to dispatchers.

The five other officers remained hospitalized with injuries ranging from serious to critical.

The sole suspect was at a hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said in a prepared statement. No other suspects are being sought, officials said.

“The Ogden City Police Department would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies in the area for their assistance and support during this event and subsequent investigation,” officials said in a prepared statement.

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-- Michael Muskal