Who is Farmington police chief? Family of slain Chase Allan slams cops over ‘routine traffic stop’ claim after fatal shooting
DAVIS COUNTY, UTAH: The family of 25-year-old Chase Linde Allen, who was shot dead in a post office parking lot in Farmington on Wednesday, March 1, slammed the police by claiming "it was a routine traffic stop." The family has also previously alleged that “police are stonewalling us," in the murder of the 25-year-old.
However, Famington Police chief, Eric Johnsen claimed, “There was no chase involved. From what I know, the person was still inside the car when shots were fired. Officers started doing CPR immediately.” Johnsen also stated that paramedics were also called to the scene immediately after the incident.
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Who is Eric Johnsen?
According to his LinkedIn, Johnsen completed his bachelor of arts in history from Weber State University. He began his career with Farmington Police as a detective sergeant for three years, beginning in 2017 and ending in 2020, and was promoted to lieutenant. Later on he began his tenure as Chief of Police in June 2022. He describes himself on LinkedIn, "I was raised in the mid-west and spent the early portion of my adulthood working for our family business. I later followed my childhood dream of being a police officer. After serving for 20 years as a police officer I plan to use my degree to teach history and business as well as coach football at a local high school."
What are the claims made by chief of police?
Johnsen stated in an interaction with the press that was backed the police officers, claiming, “Other than that’s how we train and I know my guys, and if they fired shots I am certain they were in fear of their life.” Johnsen said, “I believe in the last three years this is the third officer-involved shooting in Farmington. We wake up and come to work to do a job and this is not a part of the job we do not look forward to." In an official statement, the police added, "On March 1, 2023 at about 3:22 pm a Farmington Officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle. The location of the stop was at 145 E State Street, Farmington, Utah. The driver of the vehicle was the only occupant. During the stop the driver became non-compliant with the initial officer.The initial officer called for assistance from other officers. During the confrontation the initial officer instructed the driver to exit the vehicle, which the driver refused. During an attempt to remove the driver from the vehicle shots were fired and the driver was injured. The driver was removed from the vehicle and medical aid was rendered by officers on scene."
It further claimed, "The driver of the vehicle was identified as Chase Allan (25) and transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.The Davis County Critical Incident Protocol Team for was activated and is conducting the investigation. Details of this incident will be released upon completion of the investigation. Five Farmington City police officers have been placed on administrative leave as per department policy. There were no injuries to any of the officers."