FARMINGTON—Farmington Police Chief Eric Johnsen allowed the media, during a press conference held Wednesday, to view the body camera footage of the officer involved shooting of a 25-year-old man on March 1.

The video shows the dash camera of a Farmington Police officer as he pulls over the driver of a vehicle that had an illegitimate license plate. The driver, later identified as Chase Allan, went into the parking lot of the Farmington Post Office. When the officer approached and asked for ID, Allan rolled down the window slightly and refused to comply asserting his independence from the laws of the land and his belief that he was not required to provide information to the officer or required to cooperate.

At that point, the officer called for assistance while continuing to give Allan information and options but he would still not comply. 

The officer’s body-worn camera shows Allan holding his cell phone up to the window. “Then he transfers it from the right hand to the left,” said Johnsen. “A holster is observed on his hip with his right hand near the holster and he makes a flex movement.”

After repeated attempts to get Allan to comply, the officer opens the door to remove him from the vehicle. At that time an observing officer yelled out the words “gun, gun, gun!” A short struggle took place then the tape shows several officers firing at the suspect and car.

After Allan is pulled from the car, Johnsen pointed out on the video that an empty holster is visible on his right hip and a gun is visible on the floorboard of the vehicle under the seat. “Officers are trained to use deadly force if they feel there is imminent danger to themself or someone else,” said Johnsen. “The officer had know idea what was about to happen. In my opinion the way they handled it was absolutely appropriate.” 

It has been widely reported that the officers were told to shut off their body cameras after the incident. “The incident was well over,” said Johnsen. “I’ve worked on protocol teams and shutting the camera off is simply to help investigators so they don’t have to watch every video (that doesn’t apply).”

The police officer made a lawful traffic stop, he said. “It changed from a discussion to a combative situation then we see things go in a really tragic direction.”

Johnsen said the five officers involved have been impacted by the incident. “They’re impacted, all of us are but they’re doing alright. The department has a mental health group if they need it. It’s paid for by the city. I don’t know if they’ve used it but I'm confident they are aware of it.”

Johnsen said he has full confidence in his officers. “It’s a tragic ending to what started out as an everyday traffic stop.”

The Davis County Critical Incident Protocol team is investigating the incident.