Army: Soldier shot dead by police in Utah had federal warrant for desertion

Army: Soldier shot dead by Utah police deserted

SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Army says the soldier who shot a Salt Lake City police officer in the leg was being sought as a deserter.

Police returned fire Friday and killed Brandon S. Barrett, who was in military fatigues and heavily armed on a busy downtown intersection.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Wash., is releasing details about Barrett’s background.

Maj. Jenny Willis told the Deseret News of Salt Lake City and The News Tribune of Tacoma that Barrett was from Tucson, Ariz., where his father is declining comment.

Willis says Barrett joined the armed forces almost four years ago but disappeared July 20. He was initially classified as absent without leave. Then, on Aug. 19, the Army obtained a federal warrant accusing Barrett of being a deserter.

Information from: Deseret News, www.deseretnews.com