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Man fatally shot by West Valley City is police identified

Related Topics: West Valley City, Utah, Police, Man

A man killed by police after forcing his way into a West Valley City house on Sunday has been identified as 20-year-old Elijah James Smith.

At 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, someone reported a theft at a cell phone store near 3400 South on Redwood Road, according to a news release from West Valley City. The suspected thief fled the scene.

During a search of the area, a police officer spotted someone who matched the thief’s description about a block away, near 1940 West on 3500 South. That man, Smith, ran and the officer chased.

Smith went into a garage, but ran out again after seeing the homeowners.