SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department has released body camera footage from a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on October 29, showing the moments before 47-year-old José Hernandez was shot and killed after throwing a rock at police during an altercation near 2100 South and 300 West.
The Incident
According to police reports, officers were dispatched after receiving a 911 call from a man claiming his friend had been assaulted in the middle of the street. When two officers arrived on the scene, they began interviewing witnesses who confirmed that a disturbance had taken place nearby.
The released bodycam video shows officers approaching Hernandez, who was sitting on a curb with his back facing 300 West. Officers asked if he needed medical assistance, but Hernandez declined. Moments later, the footage shows Hernandez picking up landscaping rocks from behind the curb and placing them into the pocket of his sweatshirt.
The Escalation
At approximately the 6:13 mark in the footage, Hernandez stands up, pulls one of the rocks from his pocket, and begins backing away from the responding officer. The officer can be heard warning the second officer on scene: “He’s got a rock in his hand like a weapon.”
As the second officer arrives, he commands Hernandez to “Drop the rock now!” But instead of complying, Hernandez turns and walks south along 300 West. The officers follow, repeatedly ordering him to stop and drop the object.
Moments later, Hernandez suddenly darts into traffic, running across the street. On the northwest corner of 2100 South, he turns and throws a rock toward one of the officers. The officer fires his weapon at least once, striking Hernandez.
Aftermath and Investigation
Immediately after the shooting, officers can be heard calling for medical aid. The Salt Lake City Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance responded and transported Hernandez to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Detective Michael Ruff, a department spokesperson, confirmed that the officer who fired the shots has been placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The case remains under investigation by an independent review board and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
Public Access to Evidence
The department has made the full body camera footage and the 911 call audio publicly available on its official YouTube channel as part of its transparency policy.
Officials say the release is part of an ongoing effort to maintain public trust and accountability. “These videos are difficult to watch, but they’re necessary for transparency,” one police spokesperson said.
The incident marks one of several recent police shootings under review in Utah, reigniting community discussions around de-escalation tactics and mental health response during police interactions.
