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SALT LAKE CITY — The officer who was with David Romrell the night the South Salt Lake officer was hit and killed by a fleeing suspect was justified in using deadly force against the man who hit Romrell, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office ruled Friday.

On Nov. 24, 2018, South Salt Lake officer Carson Aprato fired multiple rounds at a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Felix Anthony Calata. Calata was killed.

Aprato and Romrell, 31, were responding to a burglary in progress call near 3575 S. West Temple. When they arrived, they tried to stop two men who were attempting to drive away from the scene.

Calata initially drove toward the officers, who had their guns drawn, before the car started making “jerky” motions, according to the officer-involved critical incident report by District Attorney Sim Gill. Both Aprato and Romrell yelled, “Police! Stop!” several times at the driver, the report states.

A South Salt Lake police officer was "fighting for his life" at a hospital on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, after being hit by a car occupied by alleged burglars, one of whom was shot and killed by police. (Photo: KSL TV)

“Officer Aprato said based on everything going on, he was “100 percent sure” the suspects knew he and officer Romrell were police officers,” according to the report.

The car went forward and backward as if the driver wasn’t sure what to do, Aprato said. Calata then drove over planter boxes and headed straight for Romrell, even though neither Romrell nor Aprato were blocking the exit, the report states.

Aprato said he fired at the vehicle before and after it hit Romrell. A witness told investigators he heard seven shots, “followed by another burst of gunshots,” according to the report.

“Investigators believe officer Aprato fired 18 rounds,” the report states.

Related:

Officer dies after being struck by vehicle during confrontation in South Salt Lake, police say A South Salt Lake police officer died Saturday evening after he was struck by a vehicle during a confrontation with two alleged burglars, one of whom was shot and killed by police, officials said.

Both officers fired their weapons, according to the report. Calata was struck twice and killed. His car continued moving after he was shot and crashed a short distance later. Jeffrey Black, who was in the passenger seat, was injured and arrested.

Both officers were wearing body cameras and Romrell’s dash-cam in his patrol car was recording, according to the report. Those videos were not being released pending the outcome of the case against Black.

Jeffery Black, 43, arrested for investigation of murder in the death of South Salt Lake police officer David Romrell, is escorted out of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Photo: Qiling Wang, KSL)

Black was charged in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony; as well as robbery, obstructing justice, burglary and failing to stop at the command of a law enforcer. His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.

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