UPDATED: Officer-involved shooting in Hurricane ends in man’s death, critically injured K-9, police say

Written by Nick Yamashita
December 27, 2022

HURRICANE — Following a short pursuit that ended in a crash Monday evening, a man was shot to death, and a police K-9 was transported to Las Vegas in critical condition.

The scene of an active police investigation in Hurricane, Utah, Dec. 26, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

On Monday at approximately 7:22 p.m., Hurricane City Police officers were dispatched to the area of the Hurricane City Cemetery to find a man who said he was being threatened, according to a press release issued by the Police Department.

When the man was found, he started yelling at officers in Spanish and reportedly drove his car at the officers. He fled from them and a short pursuit ensued. The pursuit was terminated within one minute due to safety concerns.

The suspect was spotted driving very slowly and erratically near 700 West on State Street, making numerous abrupt U-turns.

Police say the suspect caused a traffic collision with another passing motorist, which resulted in substantial damage to both vehicles, and then went off the road before coming to a stop due to the vehicle damage.

Police say suspect caused crash that left both vehicles damaged, Hurricane, Utah, Dec. 26, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The suspect was no longer in the vehicle when officers approached it.

On Tuesday afternoon, the suspect was identified as 46-year-old Jose Palacios Pascacio of Hurricane, Utah.

The collision occurred on state Route 9 and was close to the intersection of North 2260 West, in front of the Sinclair DinoStop on Rlington Parkway.

Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Grant Hintze said there were no injuries at the crash scene.

Hurricane Police Department Public Information Officer Dan Raddatz said occupants in the gray Nissan Pathfinder were checked by emergency personnel and released. 

The Pathfinder ended up on the north side of the street over and off the curb after colliding with a 2022 black Chevy sedan with California license plates, police said. No information was released concerning the ownership or occupancy of the vehicle. The Chevy came to a stop off to the south side of the state route in the dirt below the parking lot of the Sinclair DinoStop.

A short time later, officers were dispatched to a home in the area of 2460 West and 250 North. The resident said a Spanish-speaking man in his mid-40s had just walked into their home, according to the news release.

The resident and three other family members reportedly were uninjured in the incident. After officers entered the home, it was reported that shots had been fired. Police say the suspect was “fatally shot” and a police K-9 was critically injured.

Pascacio succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release.

K-9, Riko, was critically injured during a police-involved fatal shooting, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2022 | Photo Courtesy of Hurricane Police Department, St. George News

The police K-9, who was reportedly stabbed in the neck, was identified as Riko and was in “severe” condition, Raddatz said on the night of Dec. 26. Riko was transported by ambulance to Southwest Animal Emergency Clinic at 1067 E. Tabernacle Street. From there, he was transported to Las Vegas in an undisclosed animal hospital for further treatment.

On Tuesday morning, Raddatz gave an update on Riko.

“Riko was in stable condition in Las Vegas but still has surgery,” Raddatz said.

The Washington County Critical Incident Task Force is investigating this officer-involved shooting. The shooting involved officers from the Hurricane City Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, according to the press release.

The news release adds:

“We send our condolences to the family of the deceased. And our hearts and prayers are currently with our K9 that was injured and his partner and family as we all are hoping for the best possible outcome. We wish to thank the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Hurricane Valley Fire District, the many agencies represented on the Critical Incident Task Force and especially our Hurricane City Police Officers for protecting our community to the best of their abilities.”

This report is based on statements from police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. This is news from an open investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.

Updated Dec. 27, 11:41 a.m.: Information and status of occupants of vehicles involved in the collision added, interview statements added and identity and status of K-9 added.

Updated Dec. 27, 11:41 a.m.: Identity of Suspect added along with a new quote from HPD.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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