On the evening of July 25, 2014, a domestic dispute call from an apartment complex in Millcreek, Utah, set in motion a tragic chain of events that would end the life of 31-year-old Nicholas Lister, a White/Caucasian male. His wife had contacted 911 to report a domestic issue, which quickly escalated upon the arrival of law enforcement. The situation was upgraded to a "man with a gun" alert after Lister's wife informed the dispatcher that her husband had threatened to shoot police if they
entered their apartment.
Officers from the Unified Police Department attempted to de-escalate the situation by communicating with Lister, who had been drinking and was reportedly suicidal. They called him using his wife's cellphone, urging him to put down his weapon. Lister, however, expressed that the incident would only end with his death or the death of an officer if they tried to enter his home. He stated he was "bunkered in" and "ready to fight for his freedom." The confrontation reached its peak when Lister informed the officers he was going onto his balcony with his gun to smoke.
Despite police commands to remain unarmed, Lister emerged onto the balcony brandishing a 12-gauge shotgun. He then swung the shotgun in the direction of two officers, at which point he fired at least one shot at them. The officers, believing their lives were in imminent danger, returned fire, striking and killing Lister. A subsequent investigation by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office concluded that the officers' use of deadly force was legally justified as they reasonably believed it was necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury. As a result, no suspects were sought, and no arrests were made in connection with the death of Nicholas Lister. The officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.
