Man dies after deputy opens fire after barricading apartment in West Haven, sheriff says

WEST HAVEN, Weber County – A man shot and killed a deputy Sunday after authorities said he barricaded himself and a woman in an apartment complex and threatened officers with a knife.

According to the Weber County Sheriff's Office, a caller reported a man and woman arguing at an apartment complex near 2265 S. 1100 West. The caller said the couple got into an argument and the man damaged property.

When deputies arrived, they found the man barricading the apartment door with the woman inside, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies tried to talk to him through the door. At one point, they heard a commotion from inside and broke down the door.

“Concerned for the safety of the female, deputies forced entry into the apartment,” the sheriff's office said in a news release. “The male pulled out a knife and began to advance on the deputies while holding the knife.”

Three deputies shot the man, killing him. All the three MLAs have been sent on leave.

The woman was not injured and was safely removed from the apartment, the sheriff's office said. Police said no other family members or representatives were injured. The Weber County Attorney's Office is investigating the shooting.

Shayne Johnson told KSL-TV the woman was involved and her boyfriend, James Kudelka, 30, was killed.

Johnson said she and Kudelka had been dating for two years and were arguing Sunday afternoon when deputies arrived. After deputies arrived, Johnson's mother, Tammy Marturello, appeared and was on the phone with Kudelka, Johnson said.

Although police said the man barricaded himself inside the home and had a knife, Johnson says he never barricaded himself and only had a phone and a bottle of alcohol.

Johnson and Marturello said the situation escalated and deputies entered the apartment after which Kudelka was shot.

“There was no 'get down.' There was no 'get your hands up.' They just shot,” Marturello said.

Johnson and Marturello said they were concerned about how the incident was handled and hoped the situation would be thoroughly investigated.