This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

According to your article about Dustin Evans' $2.75 million claim against the county, Sheriff Jim Winder expressed his displeasure with Sim Gill's determination that shooting Evans was unjustified.

"Place yourself in a position in which you've been shot at and have been shot," Winder said.

That is excellent advice, but let's make a thought experiment: Suppose Evans had lawfully carried a weapon and returned fire, killing the officer who shot him. Would Winder give him a pass because Evans only had a split second to understand and react to being shot? I doubt it. I'm sure Winder would call Evans a murderer.

No one, not even police, is above the law. Obviously, this was a tragic mistake. But if I shot my neighbor while walking through my yard because I mistakenly thought the neighbor was a burglar, I would be criminally charged. And rightfully so.

S. Steven Maese

Salt Lake City