Recent court filings reveal that prosecutors aim to pursue the death penalty for a man charged with the fatal shootings of two officers in northern Utah over the weekend.
Ryan Michael Bate, who is now facing 20 charges, including two counts of capital murder, is accused in the deaths of Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada.
The Box Elder County Attorney’s Office submitted a formal notification to the court on Wednesday indicating their intent to seek the death penalty for Bate.
Reports suggest that 30-year-old Bate shot an officer from the Tremonton Garland Police Station using a high-powered rifle while police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his residence.
According to the allegations, Bate’s wife placed multiple 911 calls, hanging up several times, as he had allegedly assaulted her by slamming her head against a door, choking her, and pushing her into a wall.
She later recounted that he had made repeated threats to kill her.
Deputy Mike Allred of Box Elder County, accompanied by his three-year-old K-9 Azura, arrived as backup and sustained injuries during the shooting incident.
After bystanders intervened, convincing Bate to drop the firearm, he was taken into custody.
Previous records indicate that Bate was arrested last year on charges related to assault and domestic violence.
Now, he faces additional counts of assault and domestic violence, alongside the murder and attempted murder charges.
On Thursday, Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed his view that seeking the death penalty in this case seems appropriate.
No defense attorney was mentioned for Bate in the court filings as of Thursday.
