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CEDAR CITY — A woman who was shot by police near Cedar City now faces criminal charges accusing her of firing twice at the same officers.
Shawna Owens, 37, of Cedar City, was charged Thursday in 5th District Court with two counts of assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony; aggravated assault and three counts of illegal discharge of a firearm, third-degree felonies; DUI, a class A misdemeanor; and carrying a weapon while under the influence and being an alcohol restricted driver, class B misdemeanors.
On Sunday, Iron County sheriff's deputies and officers from the Enoch Police Department responded to the area of 4680 North and 4500 West, northwest of Cedar City, where a woman, who had previously been reported as being suicidal, was found in a van in a driveway by the homeowner's son.
"The son stated he saw a white van in the driveway and a person that was inside the vehicle had pointed a gun at him," according to charging documents.
Officers arrived at the residence and ordered Owens to get out of her vehicle.
"While commands were being given to Owens, she pointed a black pistol in the direction of multiple officers. They ordered her to put the gun down multiple times and to exit the vehicle. At one point during the incident, Owens allegedly raised the firearm in the direction of an officer. Officers then fired multiple times at Owens who was injured as a result," according to the charges.
Police say two officers shot at the woman. She was treated at the scene before being flown to St. George Regional Hospital. As of Thursday, she was still recovering in the hospital.
"During a preliminary investigation of the incident, evidence was found that Owens had fired two rounds from a .22 caliber pistol in the direction of the involved officers," the charges state.
As police continued to investigate the incident, they learned that earlier in the day she had made suicidal comments to her roommate and fired a round through their front bedroom window, "in the direction of the residence across the street," according to the charges. No injuries were reported.
The Iron, Garfield, Beaver Critical Incident Task Force is investigating the police shooting aspect of the case.
