‘He Deserves the Death Penalty’: Governor Cox speaks on alleged Tremonton shooter, initial court date set

BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Governor Cox spoke at his monthly press conference about Ryan Michael Bate, accused of killing two Tremonton officers and injuring a Deputy and K9 Officer. An initial court date has been set for Bate.

A court date has been set for Ryan Bate, 32, who

allegedly shot and killed Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada during a domestic disturbance on August 17, 2025. He also allegedly shot and injured Deputy Mike Allred and K9 Officer Azula, attacked his wife, and shot at a neighbor.

His court date, scheduled for August 22, 2025, will be an initial appearance, where Bate will hear the formal charges brought against him.

Bate has been charged with the following:

• Two counts of aggravated murder, which are capital offenses
• Four charges of attempted aggravated murder (first-degree felony)
• Endangering a police service K-9 with the intent to injure/kill (third-degree felony)
• Three counts of possessing an explosive or incendiary device (second-degree felony)
• Two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon with criminal intent (class A misdemeanor)
• Three counts of assault, domestic violence with prior (class A misdemeanor)
• One count of unlawful detainment, domestic violence with prior (class A misdemeanor)
• One count of threat of violence, domestic violence with prior (class A misdemeanor)
• Three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child (Class B misdemeanor)

Additionally, the prosecutor has refiled several domestic violence charges against Bate, which were dismissed without prejudice on August 24, 2024. Those charges include aggravated assault, multiple counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, and property damage.

“There is a review that is happening of this person’s background, history and background specifically around domestic violence,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said.

Cox also took issue with people who says the system failed, “The answer can’t always be when somebody does something wrong, we lock them up forever. That can’t be the answer. So, we’re always trying to find balance in the system.”

Notably, the Box Elder County Attorney’s Office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in this case, indicating that Bate could face execution if convicted on the counts of aggravated murder. Governor Cox said, “He deserves the death penalty.”