Layton, Utah police released information about the man who is accused of shooting at officers on a major highway, closing down the interstate. According to court documents, the suspect is a frequent drug user who is known to carry and utilize dangerous weapons. Upon further investigation into his background, it was discovered that he had many drug convictions, as well as other dangerous felonies on his criminal record.

In fact, he had been arrested four other times since 2019. Most recently, he had been detained for attempting to use a stolen credit card. Upon arrest, police discovered two credit cards and a driver’s license in others’ names, two baggies containing methamphetamines, and a stolen gun.

Just twenty days after his release on only a $10,000 bond, he is accused of carrying another gun and firing on Layton police officers. Police found him asleep in a stolen car with a gun in plain sight. After waking him for questioning, the suspect fled in the car, crashing into both police cars as he pulled away and eventually drove onto the interstate.

As the officers attempted to slow the flow of traffic to give the suspect space and distance, he began shooting at them. They returned fire and eventually captured him, learning he had been shot in the process. He was then hospitalized and arrested on a number of new charges, including assault on an officer, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, discharge of a firearm across a highway, failure to stop at the command of police, possession of a weapon by a restricted person, distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, criminal mischief, driving without a license, and failure to obey traffic control devices.

Click here for more information.

Once again, we see recidivism play out in our communities. Four arrests in three years begs the question—How many chances should someone get before we place more value on the welfare of others, including law enforcement officers?

The courts and legislatures around our country need to balance the importance of reintegration after incarceration with the safety of their communities. Like most issues, it is a complex topic, but the stakes are too high not to work together for a better solution.

As always, Hire Image is here to help. Please contact us if you have any questions about the effects of #recidivism or your own background screening practices.