Armed Attempted Robbery Suspect Shot by Cops After advancing toward them with a knife

This investigation began at 2:24 a.m. on April 2, 2024, when SLC911 received a 9-1-1 call from an employee working at the Chevron gas station, located at 875 South State Street.
The employee told the 9-1-1 call taker the suspect, later identified as Mr. Cloward, had a knife and tried to stab him through a window.
Based on the employee’s statements to SLC911, Mr. Cloward may have committed an aggravated robbery by using, or threatening to use, a dangerous weapon during the commission of a robbery or attempted robbery.
When officers arrived, they found Mr. Cloward walking in the gas station’s parking lot. Officers could see Mr. Cloward holding a knife. Mr. Cloward started walking north from the gas station on the east sidewalk of State Street. Mr. Cloward turned around, faced officers, and began walking back into the gas station parking lot. Body-worn camera footage from one of the officers on scene captured him telling Mr. Cloward to stop walking toward the gas station.
Body-worn camera footage shows Mr. Cloward holding his knife with the blade positioned under his chin. Officers gave repeated commands for Mr. Cloward to drop the knife, stop walking, and to get on the ground.
Mr. Cloward refused the officers’ orders, and repeatedly said, “I don’t care.” An officer requested a “less lethal shotgun.”
Officers began creating distance between them and Mr. Cloward as he continued to hold the knife. As this occurred, Mr. Cloward took steps toward the officers, while holding the knife, and while continuing to disregard their orders to stop. Four (4) SLCPD officers used deadly force. Officers placed Mr. Cloward into custody and conducted a medical assessment.
Gold Cross and Salt Lake City Fire confirmed Mr. Cloward died on scene.