The man accused of fatally shooting two Tremonton Police Department officers in August made his second court appearance Thursday as the judge set a preliminary hearing date for later this year.

Ryan Michael Bate, currently held at the Box Elder County Jail, appeared virtually before the court in Brigham City, wearing jail-issued clothing and appearing clean-shaven after removing the beard he had at the time of his arrest.

Unlike his emotional first court appearance on August 22, where he was seen sobbing throughout the proceedings, Bate remained calm and mostly silent as the judge scheduled his preliminary hearing for December 18.

Charged with Aggravated Murder

Prosecutors have charged Bate with multiple felonies, including two counts of Aggravated Murder, in connection with the August 17 killings of Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada of the Tremonton Police Department.

According to court documents, officers responded that day to a domestic violence call from Bate’s wife, who reported that her husband had slammed her head into a door, choked her, and restrained her to a bed.

When police arrived, Bate allegedly opened fire on Sgt. Sorensen as he was leaving the scene, fatally wounding him. He then shot and killed Officer Estrada, who had arrived as backup.

During the attack, Bate also fired on a Box Elder County Sheriff’s deputy and his K-9 unit, Azula. Both were struck but later recovered from their injuries.

A Tragic Loss for the Community

The deaths of Sgt. Sorensen and Officer Estrada sent shockwaves through the Tremonton community and Utah’s broader law enforcement family.

Sgt. Sorensen, remembered by friends and family as a compassionate leader and mentor, had served the department for more than a decade. Officer Estrada, known for his “love, service, and family,” had recently joined the force and was described as deeply dedicated to his community.

Vigils and memorials held in their honor drew hundreds of residents, law enforcement officers, and public officials from across the state.

Prosecutors to Seek the Death Penalty

During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutors reaffirmed their intent to pursue the death penalty against Bate if he is convicted of the double homicide. The court also confirmed that defense attorneys are preparing for a lengthy pretrial process given the gravity of the charges.

Bate remains in custody without bail as he awaits his next court date in December.