2 officers injured in weekend shootout released from hospital

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WEST VALLEY CITY — Both West Valley police officers who were shot over the weekend while pursuing a man wanted for aggravated robbery have been released from the hospital.

One officer was released Saturday afternoon and the other Sunday evening, said West Valley Police Sgt. Mike Powell. Neither of the officers' names had been released as of Monday afternoon.

One of the officers was shot in the ankle and the other was shot in both legs near his thighs.

Although both were expected to make full recoveries, Powell said the department is going to watch their progress at home before declaring that they are completely in the clear.

It was unclear Monday if an initial autopsy on Jesus Florentino Merino, 31, had been completed.

Merino, accused of shooting the two officers and firing at others investigating an aggravated robbery, died in a shootout with police Friday near 3500 South and 2400 West, near the I-215 overpass.

Merino, who fired multiple shots at officers at several points during the chase, was struck by an officer's vehicle, shot and a police K9 was used to attempt to bring him under control. The exact timeline of those events is part of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and West Valley police.

Detectives were also trying to put together a timeline of all of Merino's recent criminal activities.

He was released from the Utah State Prison in February after serving nearly 11 years for robbery, theft by receiving stolen property and aggravated assault, according to the Utah Department of Corrections.

Police believe Merino kidnapped a taxi driver at gunpoint on June 19 while trying to flee a minor traffic accident. He is also suspected of committing at least two armed convenience store robberies on Thursday and Friday.

Taylorsville police say on Friday, he robbed a Chevron near 5400 South and Bangerter Highway. It was after that robbery that West Valley police spotted Merino's vehicle and attempted to get him to pull over.

Instead, Merino fired at officers. One of the rounds went through the pursuing officer's windshield, Powell said.

The 10-minute chase that followed, and involved multiple agencies, went on state Route 201 and I-215. After several attempts to disable Merino's vehicle, police were successful near 3500 South and 2400 West.

Even after his vehicle was stopped, Merino continued to run and fire shots at police. He was struck by an officer's vehicle before being shot.

Two West Valley officers and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper who fired their weapons remained on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. A handgun and other "items of evidence" were recovered at the scene.

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