4 West Jordan officers cleared of wrongdoing in 2024 fatal shooting

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) — Four West Jordan police officers have been found legally justified in a 2024 shooting that resulted in the death of 45-year-old Nicholas Kemp, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

On July 5, 2024, police responded to a domestic violence call in West Jordan. A woman had reportedly called 911 and said that her grandson, later identified as Nicholas Kemp, 45, had threatened to kill her, had an illegal gun, and had been served a protective order that day.

Police arrived on scene and found Kemp’s vehicle as he was driving. An officer attempted to make a traffic stop, but Kemp fired shots at the officer before fleeing. A chase then ensued.

Kemp continued shooting at officers during the chase, police said. An officer performed a PIT maneuver at 1300 West toward 9000 South, and Kemp got out of the car, challenged officers at gunpoint, then got back in and continued fleeing southbound.

Shortly after, an officer performed another PIT maneuver on Kemp’s vehicle. Kemp then exited his vehicle and began shooting at officers arriving at the scene. Four officers — identified as Officer Cullen, Officer Newland, Sergeant Julian, and Sergeant Lofgran — returned fire.

During the exchange of gunfire, Kemp was shot eight times. He was then taken to the hospital, where he died.

Inside Kemp’s vehicle, officers found 51 unspent .380 rounds, an empty Ruger .380 magazine, a hatchet, a karambit knife, marijuana, and an open can of alcohol.

“After conducting an Officer Involved Critical Incident (OICI) review, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file criminal charges for the July 5, 2024, use of deadly force by West Jordan Police Department against Nicholas Bryce Kemp,” a press release from the Salt Lake County DA’s Office states.

No further information is available at this time.