By Dan Bammes and Terry Gildea
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kuer/local-kuer-999073.mp3
Ogden, UT – Ogden law enforcement officials are still investigating a shooting Wednesday night that killed one police officer and wounded five others. A suspect in the case was also wounded and taken into custody. Members of the Weber - Morgan Narcotics Strike Force arrived at an Ogden house around 9:00 p.m. to execute a drug search. As police entered the home, a man opened fire, wounding four officers and fatally shooting agent Jared Francom. The suspect, thirty seven year old Matthew Davis Stewart was also wounded in the fire fight and taken into custody. Ogden police and city officials were still emotional shaken over Francom's death at a Thursday morning news conference. Lt. Darrin Parke is the leader of the drug strike force.
"Francom was one of the more experienced agents in our unit and he will be sorely missed. But he was involved in training the other agents, showing them how to do things appropriately," said Parke.
The others wounded in the shooting include Ogden police officers Shawn Grogan, Kasey Burrell and Michael Rounkles as well as Weber County Sheriff's Sergeant Nate Hutchinson and Roy police officer Jason Vanderwarft. Chris Dallin is a spokesman for McKay Dee Hospital.
"The status ranges from fair condition to critical condition at this point. We have four officers who are in the hospital at this time," said Dallin.
Matthew Stewart is being cared for at Ogden Regional Medical Center. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Governor Gary Herbert spoke to the families of the wounded officers. He said it was a very sober meeting.
"A difficult time for families, the uncertainty of what tomorrow is going to bring, knowing that their loved ones are hurting and injured and recovery is going to be slow and painful."
Herbert says the state has offered any help that authorities might need in Ogden and Weber County including extra officers to fill in.