Faulty handgun may have prevented tragic end to S. Jordan standoff

South Jordan police say an apparently faulty handgun likely kept a prolonged standoff with an armed and suicidal man from ending in tragedy.

Police Master Officer Samuel Winkler said officers were dispatched to a report of gun-toting suicidal man at the San Marino Apartments, 776 W. San Marino Drive (9880 South), just before 1 p.m. Sunday.

Police learned than an argument between the 34-year-old suspect and his fiancée and escalated when the man first put a handgun to the woman's head, and then pointed it at himself and attempted to fire.

However, the gun would not fire. The woman fled the apartment and called 911.

When officers arrived and the suspect would not talk with police, residents of 40 nearby apartments were evacuated and SWAT team members arrived to secure the scene.

After four hours of fruitless attempts at negotiations, SWAT officers entered the unit and the suspect surrendered without further incident.

He was first taken to a hospital for evaluation and then booked into Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of aggravated assault and domestic violence.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims