A 52-year-old Salt Lake City man allegedly sparked a multi-hour standoff with Salt Lake City Police on Friday after stating he was armed with a .357 revolver and wanted a gunfight, according to arrest documents. Elliott McCleery McCannon Jones was arrested early Friday for several alleged crimes, including aggravated assault targeting law enforcement with bodily injury.
According to court documents submitted by a Salt Lake City police officer, Jones called the police department to discuss an eviction notice he had been served with earlier that day. The officer reported being informed by other involved parties that Jones was experiencing a mental health crisis and was acting erratic and possibly violent. The officer also noted that Jones reportedly owned several firearms.
The officer attempted to contact Jones by phone but was unable to reach him, leading to a personal contact at his residence. During the encounter, Jones reportedly stated he had a gun and intended to shoot it, telling the officer to clear the area before he started shooting. The officer stated that Jones emerged from his residence several times and told the officer he wanted to get into a gunfight, at which point Jones made a finger gun gesture with his right hand before returning inside.
Following several gunshots heard from inside the residence, the Salt Lake City Police Department issued a multi-hour shelter-in-place order for residences within a half-mile radius on Friday night. Streets were closed to traffic during the incident. Drone footage reportedly captured cracks and possible bullet holes in windows of the home, suggesting shots were fired toward officers and the public.
The standoff lasted several hours before the Salt Lake City SWAT team took Jones into custody. Jones faces charges including felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice with a weapon, and interfering with a public servant. As of Sunday afternoon, Jones was not listed among inmates at the Salt Lake County jail.
