Parole fugitive suspected of gunning down police officer was shot by the alleged victim: Police

Officer Joseph Shinners, 29, was shot and killed Saturday night.

January 8, 2019, 12:43 PM

A parole fugitive suspected of gunning down a young Provo, Utah, police officer was shot and injured during the confrontation by his alleged victim, according to police.

Officer Joseph Shinners, 29, was trying to apprehend the parole fugitive, who had active warrants for his arrest, in the nearby town of Orem when he was shot Saturday night, authorities said.

PHOTO: An undated photo of Provo police officer Joesph Shinners who died in the line of duty Jan. 5, 2019.
An undated photo of Provo police officer Joesph Shinners who died in the line of duty Jan. 5, 2019.
Provo Police

Shinners managed to return fire, striking his suspected killer, identified as Matt Frank Hoover, authorities said.

Shinners died at a hospital late Saturday night, Provo Police Chief Richard Ferguson said.

Fellow officers apprehended the injured suspect that night and took him to a hospital where he remains under guard, authorities said.

Hoover, whose lengthy arrest record includes drug and theft charges, is in stable condition, Orem Police Lt. Trent Colledge told ABC News Tuesday.

PHOTO: In this photo provided by the Orem Police Department shows Matt Frank Hoover.
In this photo provided by the Orem Police Department shows Matt Frank Hoover.
Orem Police Department, via AP

Hoover allegedly made recent threats of violence toward police, authorities said.

He is expected to be charged with aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, possession of a weapon by a restricted person and possession of methamphetamine with a prior history, Colledge said. No court date has been set at this time, Colledge said.

Colledge called Shinners' slaying a "tragedy."

"He is no longer with us because a wanted fugitive did not want to go back to prison," Colledge told ABC News via email. "He was an outstanding Officer that was just trying to make the community a safer place for all of us. We will forever remember the ultimate sacrifice he gave on that dreadful night."

PHOTO: A picture of Joseph Shinners, a Provo police officer who was killed in the line of duty, is projected at the Provo City Center building during a news conference on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Provo, Utah.
A picture of Joseph Shinners, a Provo police officer who was killed in the line of duty, is projected at the Provo City Center building during a news conference on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Provo, Utah.
Evan Cobb/The Daily Herald via AP
PHOTO: A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorting the hearse carrying Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners makes its way to Wheeler Mortuary in Springville, Utah, Jan. 6, 2019.
A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorting the hearse carrying Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners makes its way to Wheeler Mortuary in Springville, Utah, Jan. 6, 2019.
Evan Cobb/The Daily Herald via AP

Shinners, a Massachusetts native who was on the job for three years, is survived by his wife and 1-year-old son, Provo police said.

Shinners came from a family of service. His brother is a police officer and his father was a fire captain in Everett, Massachusetts.

His funeral will be held Saturday, the Provo police said.

PHOTO: Residents hold American flags in honor of Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners' body during a procession in Provo, Utah, Jan. 6, 2019.
Residents hold American flags in honor of Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners' body during a procession in Provo, Utah, Jan. 6, 2019.
Scott G Winterton/The Deseret News via AP