‘I was really terrified’: Residents react after police arrest gunman following shootout in St George

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — A suspect is in custody after an active shooter threat in a St George neighborhood.

UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: St George Police Department has closed 3000 E from 2930 S. to Seegmiller Drive while they conduct an investigation and advises individuals to use alternate routes.

The incident happened around 4 p.m., near 3000 E Seegmiller Drive. St. George Police Department, and several Washington County resources, including the Sheriff’s Office, SWAT teams, and negotiation teams, responded. Residents reported hearing a significant number of gunshots and having to decide between staying in place or evacuating.

“We just locked our doors and would just peek out; there were tons of shots going back and forth,” said one resident, who took in several neighbor kids as they were evacuated from their homes. Another resident reported hearing at least 65 shots exchanged.

Residents stayed in close contact during the incident, communicating over text and telling neighbors to stay inside.

Another resident, a young kid, said, “I was really terrified, I was stressed”, and recalled “sprinting” to his neighbor’s home. His family was one of several asked to evacuate. When they were allowed back in their home, they found a shot had gone through one of their windows.

Shootout with officers

Chief Kyle Whitehead, with the St George Police Department (SGPD), said that a single individual barricaded himself in his home and begun to shoot police officers. The officers returned fire. There have been no reported injuries.

A fire started inside the home and the suspect exited to the backyard, where he later surrendered to police and was taken into custody. Police believe there is no longer an active threat to residents in the area.

Additionally, a significant amount of smoke could be seen near the home, as well as visible flames.

On-scene reporters and residents all experienced burning in their throat, possibly due to tear gas. One resident watched as the home caught fire but didn’t realize it was more than smoke until his throat and eyes started burning.

While many residents agreed that their community is “tight knit”, they were not surprised that the suspect was involved in the incident.

Allegedly, this was not a first-time offense with the suspect, whose identity has not yet been confirmed. Residents report that he had previously shot into the street and had a history of outbursts.

Police will be investigating this as an officer-involved critical incident.

Cannon Secrist and Joseph DeGolyer contributed to this report