Utah officer justified in shooting at fleeing man, district attorney says

A Taylorsville police officer was justified last month when he fired a shot at fleeing suspect, the Salt Lake County District Attorney said Monday.

The gunshot missed the suspect, Bryan W. Manseau, and he was arrested a short time later. The Taylorsville officer, Brett Miller, was assigned to a team of federal agents and local police who try to arrest fugitives.

The shooting is recounted in a press release and narrative the district attorney's office released Monday. The district attorney's office reviews officer shooting cases to make sure the officers were within the law.

On March 1, Miller was in Kearns when he saw Manseau walking down a street. Miller recognized Manseau and used the computer in his car to find that Manseau had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.

Miller parked his car next to Manseau and told him he was under arrest. At first Manseau paid no attention to Miller, the district attorney's account says. Then Manseau began running.

Miller chased him and saw Manseau kept on hand in a coat pocket, according to the district attorney. Manseau dropped something in the snow. When Manseau picked it up, Miller could see it was a gun.

The district attorney says Miller ordered Manseau to stop and drop the gun, but Manseau resumed running. As Manseau reached an apartment building at 4790 S. 4900 West, Miller said he was concerned Manseau would go around the corner and use the building as cover to shoot at Miller or Manseau would continue running and reach a group of people Miller could hear nearby.

Miller fired a shot from his weapon, but the district attorney said bullet missed and lodged in the tire of a car parked at the apartment building.

Miller lost sight of Manseau but a witness helped find him. Manseau surrender to Miller moments later. The district attorney said Manseau tossed his gun sometime after Miller fired and the weapon was recovered.

Manseau has been charged in state court with felony counts of illegal gun possession and obstruction of justice. Manseau is in the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $102,500 bond.

ncarlisle@sltrib.com

Twitter: @natecarlisle