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WEST VALLEY CITY — A parole fugitive "is being returned to prison," police say, accused of opening fire on a West Valley City officer and leading multiple agencies on a vehicle chase.
John Samora, 29, was arrested on a parole fugitive warrant following a traffic stop Saturday evening, according to West Valley City Police.
Earlier in the day, at about 4:45 p.m., West Valley Police Lt. Justin Wyckoff said a police officer was inspecting a vehicle identification number in a parking lot near Rockwood Way and 4000 West when a man opened fire on the officer.
Wyckoff said the man was driving "erratically" in the parking lot, stopped his vehicle and shot at the officer. The officer was not hit.
The man, now believed to be Samora, took off in a red KIA, which police believe may have been stolen, and led officers on a chase. Wyckoff said they lost him on I-80 eastbound near State Street.
The KIA was found unoccupied in South Salt Lake at 261 E. Beryl Ave.
Later Saturday night, police said they took Samora into custody during a traffic stop near 3800 West and 4700 South.
Samora will "returned to prison" and screened for charges of attempted homicide on a police officer, West Valley police tweeted.
Officers from West Valley, Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, the Unified Police Department, Utah Highway Patrol, and the Metro Gang Unit all responded to the incident Saturday afternoon.
