Pursuit Leads to Unrelated Family Hostage Situation and HRT

Nov 5, 2025

Lieutenant Andrew Smith, a veteran with the South Davis Metropolitan SWAT team, shares gripping insights from a harrowing hostage situation in Farmington, Utah. He recounts the tense vehicle pursuit that led to the standoff and the complexities of using SWAT resources, including the decision to call in air support. Andrew discusses key moments, like the rescue of a young girl and the challenges of communication—both with hostages and between teams. He also reflects on lessons learned regarding tactical roles and the importance of community relationships after such crises.

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ANECDOTE

Three-Day Crime Spree Ends In Neighborhood

The suspect fled a multi-day crime spree and ran across I-15 into a residential neighborhood, triggering a countywide response.
South Davis and other agencies converged to set containment and search the new-development area for the suspect.

ANECDOTE

Single Gunshot Changed The Mission

A Centerville officer heard a single gunshot near the containment and suspected the suspect had killed himself.
That perception shifted the response from a simple search to a tactical house-to-house operation.

ADVICE

Call Mutual Aid And Use FLIR Early

Call mutual-aid SWAT and expand assets when containment is uncertain in complex residential areas.
Use aerial assets (FLIR) early to narrow searches before committing ground teams.

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In September of 2021 a suspect involved in a carjacking and attempted homicide led police in a vehicle pursuit that ended in a car crash in Farmington Utah. The suspect fled on foot across Interstate 15 into a residential neighborhood prompting patrol officers to establish a perimeter and begin a search with a K9 unit. During the search a single gunshot was heard, South Davis Metropolitan SWAT and North Davis Metropolitan SWAT were both activated to conduct a house -to-house search. Operators discovered a bullet hole in a residence window, and shortly after, a male exited nearby home in a vehicle. He was stopped and informed operators that his family was being held hostage and that the suspect had sent him to check for police. As operators moved toward the residence, a juvenile female escaped through a window. Debriefing the father and daughter, it became clear that three more hostages remained inside the home with an armed suspect. Negotiated side and a handgun was recovered next to his body. My guest today is Lieutenant Andrew Smith. Andrew began his law enforcement career with the Utah Highway Patrol in 2008. In 2011, he left the highway and began working for the West Bountiful Police Department. He joined the South Davis Metropolitan SWAT team in 2012 and eventually moved to the Bountiful City Police Department in 2013, where he worked his way through various assignments and promoted to the rank of lieutenant and team commander of the South Davis Metropolitan SWAT team. Anders held numerous leadership positions in the department, including FTO, lead scout, entry team member, and assistant team leader, and is currently the South Davis Metropolitan SWAT team commander. He's been honored with numerous unit citations as a member of the police department and SWAT team, including his involvement in two hostage rescue operations and two Bountiful City Police Department chief stars, one of which was for his response to an active shooter at a local junior high.

Contact Info:

Lt Andrew Smith – asmith@bountiful.gov

Books

Legacy by James Kerr – ISBN-13 - 978-1472103536