CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Orem police address officer-involved shooting, release dash-cam footage

May 13, 2020, 6:08 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2022, 11:25 am

OREM – The Orem Police Department provided more information on Wednesday about an officer-involved shooting on 800 North last Friday. They also addressed why potentially relevant details were left out of police documents that were later made public. 

At a news conference, investigators showed a dash-cam video of the officer-involved shooting. It shows the officer opening fire on a truck driven by suspect Sam Bencomo. 

The video appears to show the officer stopping his car in front of Bencomo, who then backs up into the intersection of 800 North and 800 West before driving right into the officer.  Chief Gary Giles said the officer tried to get out of the way, but couldn’t.

“Had the officer gone to his right instead of his left, he would have been hit,” Chief Giles said.

In the video, the officer can be seen trying holster his weapon only to bring it out when the truck nearly hit him.  Julia Jones was in the passenger seat and was reportedly shot in the face, causing serious injuries to her jaw.  Since then, she has had surgery and has been communicating with her family. 

Giles denies that the department was trying to ignore Jones and her injuries.

“Was the Orem Police Department trying to downplay this?  Absolutely not,” he said.

Giles was asked why department spokespeople said no one was significantly injured in the officer-involved shooting on Friday.  He said that, at the time, there was a question about whether officers were injured. The answer was no, they were not. He also said they weren’t sure how Jones was hurt at the time, since she and Bencomo were involved in a crash after Bencomo reportedly tried to hit the officer.

“We didn’t know, initially,” Giles said, “whether that injury was from a gunshot wound or if it was from an accident.

“Initially [on Friday], we were still trying to figure this all out.”

(Sam Bencomo. Credit: Utah County Sheriff’s Office)

As for why the shooting wasn’t mentioned in their probable cause statement, Giles said that report specifically described the reasons they arrested Bencomo.  He said the probable cause statement was never intended to be a full report about the case. 

The investigation into the shooting will be handled by a separate agency.

“There is a second investigation, which is [conducted] by our Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol Team.  That involves the officer-involved shooting.  That is a separate case, right now,” Giles says.

Giles was also asked if Jones could face charges since she and Bencomo were legally allowed to be together.  Giles says that hasn’t been determined and the investigation is ongoing.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Crime, Police + Courts

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

a police car is pictured...

Mark Jones

SLCPD investigating suspious death, seeks public’s assistance

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police say a body found Sunday morning in downtown is considered to be a suspicious death. Police were called to the area of 536 S. 200 West just after 11 a.m. Once on scene, officers confirmed the individual, who was found in a field, to be deceased. Information […]

11 months ago

The new Utah State Correctional Facility is pictured in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 30, 2022. ...

Mark Jones

State Correctional Facility placed on temporary lockdown

The Utah State Correctional Facility was placed on temporary lockdown Saturday following a fight with several inmates.

11 months ago

The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating the deaths of two people. Their bodies were f...

Mark Jones

SLCPD investigating after two bodies found inside an office complex

Salt Lake City police are investigating the discovery of two bodies found Saturday inside an office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive.

11 months ago

Unified police...

Mark Jones

Woman dies in hiking accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Unified Police say a 34-year-old woman died Friday following a hiking accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Orem police address officer-involved shooting, release dash-cam footage