Police: Off-Duty Cop Saved Lives In Mall

Salt Lake City Police Say Officer Prevented Gunman Who Fatally Shot 5 From Killing More

(CBS/AP)  An off-duty police officer having an early Valentine's Day dinner with his wife was credited Tuesday with helping stop a rampage in a crowded shopping mall by an 18-year-old gunman who killed five people before he was cut down.

A day after the shooting, investigators struggled to figure out why a trench-coated Sulejmen Talovic opened fire on shoppers with a supremely calm look on his face.

The teenager wanted to "to kill a large number of people" and probably would have killed many more if not for the off-duty officer, Police Chief Chris Burbank said.

Ken Hammond, an off-duty officer from Ogden, north of Salt Lake City, jumped up from his seat at a restaurant after hearing gunfire and cornered the gunman, exchanging fire with him until other officers arrived, Burbank said.

"There is no question that his quick actions saved the lives of numerous other people," the police chief said.

"I feel like I was there and did what I had to do," Hammond told reporters. After spotting the gunman, he told his pregnant wife to take cover in the restaurant and went to confront the suspect.

Police said it was not immediately clear who fired the shot that killed Talovic.

Talovic had a backpack full of ammunition, a shotgun and a .38-caliber pistol, police said. Investigators knew little about Talovic, except than he lived in Salt Lake City with his mother and three younger sisters, police said.

Police say they have no motive for the rampage. Talovic had some minor juvenile incidents and dropped out of the Salt Lake City school system in November of 2004, reports CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes.

"He was such a good boy. We don't know what happened," says Ajka Omerovic, Talovic's aunt.

Talovic drove to the Trolley Square shopping center — a century-old former trolley barn with winding hallways, brick floors and wrought-iron balconies, and immediately killed two people, followed by a third victim as he came through a door, Burbank said. Five other people were then shot in a gift shop, he said.

The victims were identified as Jeffrey Walker, 52, Vanessa Quinn, 29, Kirsten Hinkley, 15, Teresa Ellis, 29, and Brad Frantz, 24. Four people were hospitalized — a 44-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man in critical condition, and a 34-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in serious condition.

The card store Cabin Fever had been packed with Valentine's Day shoppers Monday night when the shooting started, store owner David Dean said.

Dean said his assistant manager called him, saying "someone's in the store killing people." The place was "all shot up," Dean said. He said three or four of the victims were shot inside.

As investigators began interviewing the 100 to 200 witnesses, people placed candles and flowers at two memorials outside the mall for the victims. Business owners surveyed the damage, and shoppers who had fled returned to pick up cars they had to leave parked overnight.

Marie Smith, 23, a Bath & Body Works manager, said she had seen the gunman through the store window. She watched as he raised his gun and fired at a young woman approaching him from behind.

"His expression stayed totally calm. He didn't seem upset, or like he was on a rampage," said Smith, who crawled to an employee restroom to hide with others. He looked like "an average Joe," she said.

Outside the mall, candles and flowers were left as memorials to the victims, who were identified as Jeffrey Walker, 52, Vanessa Quinn, 29, Kirsten Hinkley, 15, Teresa Ellis, 29, and Brad Frantz, 24.

Hammond's boss, Ogden Police Chief Jon Greiner, said the state Senate wants to honor him.

"Thank goodness he was there," said Greiner, who is also a state senator. "You don't want to ever say it's good we were there and killed somebody, but it's probably good someone was there."

Accountant Jeff Barlow was on a date at a restaurant when he looked outside and saw the gunman firing from the hip.

"I thought it was some kind of joke — some kind of movie or stunt," Barlow said. "I didn't believe it was happening. And then I saw a man go down in a courtyard. I realized this was serious. These are real bullets flying around."

His date, Stephanie Bronson, added: "Just crazy. Absolutely terrifying."

Also Monday night, a business meeting in Philadelphia turned deadly when a gunman, apparently angry over money, killed three men and critically injured a fourth before exchanging gunfire with police and then killing himself, police said.

[antoniof123]

Wow, I guess he was crazy would you not think?

[gmcnally2]

"slaying five before being killed by police"
"Police...declined to say how he died."

So..., they did something other than shoot him?

[anopinion1]

YA THINK!!!!!!!!

[abcdefgh2001]

i think he was not crazy but he needed to talk to somebody before he did it!

[anopinion1]

lol gmcnally2

yea maybe they put 67 bullets in him and didnt wanna put that in the report here.

safe to say it was from internal bleeding.

I guess he really dosen't/didn't like mormans.

[formrusmcsgt]

Keep buying junior his gory first person shooter games and let him spend hundreds of hours shooting others.....

[hambonehd]

formrusmcsg,
Amen!

[tm_bailey]

What is the matter with people anymore?!?!

[formrusmcsgt]

What is the matter with people anymore?!?!
Posted by tm_wilson at 09:12 AM : Feb 13, 2007

What I think is often the matter with parents these days is that they are too distracted and self-absorbed to really spend any time with junior. They buy him his video games and use them as a baby-sitter instead of making the personal investment in time that he deserves.

Convenient for them, disastrous for junior.

[czarhezar]

Well, we know where the next NRA meeting going to be held, dont we?

[formrusmcsgt]

Well, we know where the next NRA meeting going to be held, dont we?
Posted by czarhezar at 09:28 AM : Feb 13, 2007

While not an active NRA supporter by any means, I will observe that they do promote gun safety and responsibility as part of their platform.

First person shooter games appeal to the baser side...just like car accidents. There is no shortage of people who'll stop on a freeway to get a look at dismembered drivers.

[internetho]

Americans say 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people".

But when also add the 'Right to bear arms" whether sane or insane, then you MUST take responsibility for every murder committed by insane people who have the right to bear arms.

You see, saying that guns don't kill people then giving the right to bear arms to every insane American, you are basically enabling guns to kill people. Insane Americans will either be killed in a shootout, or be sentenced to psychiatric care.

Point being that if every American has the right to bear arms, and insane people are not held accountable for their acions, then it's the gun that is responsible; therefore you for being in favor of the 'right to bear arms'.

Bottom line is having the right to bear arms cancels out the saying, "guns don't kill people", because in fact guns do kill people.

[internetho]

Video games are responsible for these actions? Interesting that it's Americans and not others who are affected by these video games.

They DO play these same games in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, the rest of Europe, and millions throughout Asia...but with bout 15% of the 'violent video gamers' being in USA, 99% of these crazy shootouts occur.

It's not the video games - it's the crazy American logic that allowing anyone to have a gun is a responsible thing to do.

Ask the parents and family of the slain what they think of the 'Right to bear arms'.

And please keep the NRA in USA where they can do their damage - we don't need their crazy logic in Canada - we much prefer our violent video games to the NRA's 'right to bear arms'.

Seems to me gun fanatics are always looking to make a point about how the NRA is a good thing because they promote safety. But how can you suggest anyone have a gun - i.e.the insane, and talk about safety?

[czarhezar]

formrusmcsgt

Promote gun "SAFETY" & "RESPONSIBILITY"!?

How could a person holding a gun be safe & responsible? The whole concept of owning a gun is to protect oneself/family against threats of other guns. A gun for a gun, as contrary to an eye for an eye, does not make the world blind. It will blow minds.

[poetic08]

So for those of you that believe video games had something to do with the guy being nuts and opening fire, bite me.

I've known plenty of guys that have played video games for years...mainly shooters...and none of us have shot up a place. It's not just the video game company, but also the people selling video games to minors(in most states you have to be 17 or older and they are supposed to check ID on mature rated games.)

I do agree that the parents are somewhat responsible but come on...in this fast paced America who has time to watch what their 18 year old kid that refuses to talk to them and spends nights out on the town.

There's background checks on registered gun owners, but whose to say that down the road the person who originally bought the gun while sane has a nervous breakdown or something just happens. My girlfriend's uncle committed suicide about two years ago, he'd owned guns for years wasn't a hunter, just had them for protection. The hospital he went to wouldn't institutionalize him once there was the possibility of him harming himself.

I lay the blame solely on media. They glorify war, they censor violent acts. There's not enough being taught in schools about gun control, atleast nothing that's mandatory....

And please...don't blame Marilyn Manson!

[cryonbrian]

Tell me more about the safest cities in America. Another stupid article!

[poetic08]

So for those of you that believe video games had something to do with the guy being nuts and opening fire, bite me.

I've known plenty of guys that have played video games for years...mainly shooters...and none of us have shot up a place. It's not just the video game company, but also the people selling video games to minors(in most states you have to be 17 or older and they are supposed to check ID on mature rated games.)

I do agree that the parents are somewhat responsible but come on...in this fast paced America who has time to watch what their 18 year old kid that refuses to talk to them and spends nights out on the town.

There's background checks on registered gun owners, but whose to say that down the road the person who originally bought the gun while sane has a nervous breakdown or something just happens. My girlfriend's uncle committed suicide about two years ago, he'd owned guns for years wasn't a hunter, just had them for protection. The hospital he went to wouldn't institutionalize him once there was the possibility of him harming himself.

I lay the blame solely on media. They glorify war, they censor violent acts. There's not enough being taught in schools about gun control, atleast nothing that's mandatory....

And please...don't blame Marilyn Manson!

[dorseysteven]

Its not "the NRA's right to bear arms", it is our constitutional right. I have always been around guns my whole life, and never used them in a violent way. This goes deeper than gun control.

[beehive21-2009]

Sad day for all.Go in help someone today.

[random_radar]

If just one person had had a licensed handgun in their purse and wasn't afraid to use it, this tragedy could have ended with the first victim instead of the tenth. Hundreds of people could do nothing more than hide like scared rabbits because they were unarmed and at the mercy of a gun-toting killer. We will be safer if more of us carry guns and use them to defend ourselves.

Having a gun is not a crime. Using it to kill an innocent person is a crime. Using it to kill a criminal is a public service. The police don't show up until after you are killed. If you want to survive, you depend upon your neighbor with the gun to do something before you are murdered by the maniacs and criminals.

[dorseysteven]

For you gun control freaks-- "The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to posses arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so."........ Adolph Hitler

[trueprogress]

Has anyone seen how much violence there is in STAR WARS movies and other ? Anytime I hear about a "trench coat" and long weapons, I have to wonder what effect violent movies have upon not just children but also adults.
You have to wonder if all those fake laser deaths could spark something in the deep brain, that says hey killing is fun ?
Then , there are people who are just evil.

[slclark0029]

The only person who will ever know exactly why this event took place...Is the gunman himself.
And, he is now dead.
Therefore, he will never be able to explain to the world why he committed such a selfish act.
Innocent people are dead, for a reason that will NEVER be known.
All the arguing in the world will not get inside the head of this disturbed individual, to figure out what he was thinking, or to find any motives for his actions.
You can blame this act of violence on whatever you want...
Reality is...Nobody will ever know the truth.

[ozziepooh90]

For all those who think americans should not have guns!! Those who want to kill will have guns reguardless if it is illegal or not. All gun control will do is keep the ciminals safer. I grew up with guns all my life and never had a problem. When i was young i was told not to "play " with the guns. It is called parent supervision. NRA is only looking out for the peoples rights.

[Ralph Babcock]

Bush is cutting funding on mental illness? There should be more emphasis on telling these people to get HELP... Let's try to prevent these terrible tragedies. We do also need more gun control.

[yoopermom]

Does CBS have no respect for the families who may happen to read this story and see the body of thier loved ones? I did not know this woman and it bothers me to see a picture of her body. They could have reported this story without these pictures!!!

[dink60450]

IT IS OUR GOVERNMENT WHO HAS STOPPED US FROM DISCIPLINEING OUR CHILDREN.
NOW THE PARENTS LET THEM RUN WILD, WITH GUNS, SUE THE PARENTS FOR THE GUNS, SUE YOUR GOVERNMENT FOR GETTING IN THE WAY OF OUR FAMILY'S.
TAKE THEIR RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS AWAY FROM THE WHOLE FAMILY. NOT THE ONES OF US WHO TAUGHT OUR CHILDREN RIGHT, I SPANKED MINE AND TAUGHT THEM EARLY ON ABOUT GUNS AND I AM A MOTHER OF TO GOOD MEN.....

[beehive21-2009]

If you what more gun control move out of the USA,to many lives have been lost for your right to bear arms and vote.This isn't about gun control it's about human nature, people are killers always have been and shall always be,some are able to control the urge to to kill or rape some cannot.Had a normal person been armed here less would be dead.

[billpl-2009]

The American version of a suicide bomber

"Terrorist without a Cause"

[slclark0029]

Yoopermom-

I agree with you 100%.
The picture is extremely inappropriate, not only for the victim herself, but also for her family.

[bildooreilly]

almost everyone in my town owns guns, strange we never go around killing each other. What the hell is wrong with people these days? Idiots are so brainwashed by the boob tube they can't even think for themselves anymore let alone differentiate between right and wrong. It's disgusting, I can't even talk to most people anymore especially the ones that want to talk about something on freakin television... what a bunch of loonies. Turn off that fvckin box you morons.

[bildooreilly]

and I agree with Yoopermom too, why the hell is CBS showing this womans body laying there, no freakin respect.

[thejameso]

mocaleo,
get your head out of your ***, just because your pissed at the president dont be such a seahag and bag on our troops fighting overseas so your *** can wake up everyday worry free.....a holes like you have no heart ..pray for the people killed in utah, think of thire families, but instead youre just some ignorant tabloid reading punk who turns some kid who snapped into a george bush loving gun toting problem child... stop commenting on your personal feelings because no one cares what you think.. specially me

[jasperlily]

DINK60459

Amen - you are right on the mark.


yoopermom -

of course it bothers you. It should. This is reality, not a tv show. Why do people here get upset when they see pictures of the truth, such as our military brought home in coffins and people shot at malls? Its more than time for this country's people to stop behaving like protected little children and face the stark realities of life. How else will we make changes or put an end to our permissive attitude and start making the punishments fit the crimes? Is it simply more comfortable to deliberately ask to be protected from seeing what is happening in our country? Like so many Germans after WWII said they didn't know what was happening. Many didn't want to know what was happening. My heart goes out to the families of everyone killed at that mall, not only to the family of the one in the photo. The whole thing is horrific. Could it have been prevented if we didn't deliberately stick our heads in the sand and actually saw the true horror of such crimes? Is that what it actually takes to shake our indifference and apathy and get some changes made?

[alexandrea12]

I love video games and never wanted to kill anything other than a pixel-generated image.What is your opinion on mambla members masturbating to digitally created child porn.Every one of you people has a liberal agenda.I cant even go to Wal-Mart or block-buster to look for movies because of the offensive covers with dead people and every women is half nude or in a suggestive pose(not appropriate for an 8 year old).95% of them have violence (yes with guns).Don't get me wrong I can explain lets say a topless woman on a beach to my children but how do I explain these other images that are forced down my children's eyes.Lets look at Hollywood and the alphabet channels.When I turned to fox last week to watch American idol,5 minutes before the show there were a bunch of people looking at a severed woman's head on a show called bones.Yet these same people won't show Nick Bruges be-heading.I ask if I play video games and according to you I will become a killer, than according to the same logic if I watch and stare at a woman's severed head wont I want to commit this crime also .The same applies to TV programming I don't know how many times I had to quickly change the channel because the advertising was inappropriate compared to the programming.But what really sickens me is that there a 6 dead people. And not a word about that from most of you just politics as usual. As for me my heart goes out to these people and their families.

[mdc76082]

My philosopy - these are suicidal people. they either won't kill themselves, so they'll have the cops do it for them. they take innocent lives with them because their too chicks*it to make the trip alone. If this were my kid who did this, i wouldn't give a rats a+s for him. I'd be asking the city of Salt Lake and the State of Utah, who's paying to bury him cause it won't be me. put him in a paupers cemetary. I feel for those who were killed & their families. they didn't ask for this. it was just some slimey, low-life suicidal teen who was going to have the cops kill him and he was going to take a few people with him on his death trip because he's too scared to point it at himself and end it. A true piece of garbage. I have no mercy for him. His family? I'd just trash the memories forever. Things in life never, ever get that bad that you have to kill innocent people. I don't care if your're 18-100. It just means you're a worthless, unproductive piece of suicidal garbage that deserves to leave this world...just do it alone. Keep the innocent folks out of it.

[truth_reason]

You need to relize that this is the medi and it will bring you the news wether it is full of butterflys or dead bodies. It is you choice to go to this site and it is you choice to even read the artical. You should respect others oppions and learn to deal with life how it is. Stop acting like you should hide from the world and act like it is ok. Childern will see these things regardless, it is only a matter of time, you (as a good parent) can only do so much. The world is not a pretty place and this Teen is a prime example he apperently need help. "mocaleo" you need to learn to respect others ideas and oppions dont act like your the only one alive. Grow up, please.

[gunownerdan]

Killers prefer unarmed victims.
Responsible armed and prepared citizens who can safely and properly use their firearms are MUCH harder to victimize.
Fight Crime: SHOOT BACK!

a-human-right.com

packing.org

[bildooreilly]

It's not about children seeing the dead body it's out of respect for the victim and their family you idiot. I really doubt that seeing another photo of a dead body is going to shock americans into anything, people see the same thing every night on their favorite tv shows on the boob tube that promote torture, crime, and ignorance like this.

[truth_reason]

bildooreilly i understand this i was only commenting on others oppions. I am no idiot i simple voice my ideas. I do agree with you...to a point. The medi (the news) is around to bring you the full story, yes it is disrespectful to show the body but it is still the news. Many things are wrong with the medi but it does its job. Think about that for a minuet.

[kailumego1]

Homeowners don%u2019t need an AK-47, it%u2019s only for show, it%u2019s not a good weapon of choice for home protection, and I wish those defending it stop with this %u201Chogwash%u201D.

And maybe if they stop stocking assault weapons at gun shops for criminals to get their hands on, then your local law enforcement wouldn%u2019t have such a difficult time apprehending criminals, because it places their lives in tremendous danger.

It%u2019s teenagers coming from middle-class suburban homes whose parents passionately contribute to this type of delinquency, so stop dancing around the problem pointing the finger at the wrong element.

There are too many people in denial and for the gentleman who argued I teach my children %u201Cgun safety%u201D, I%u2019m quite sure this parent also taught his son gun safety as well, they all claim that, but it%u2019s those kids coming from this type of environment that poses the real threat, because they are the ones committing these types of offenses.

The ones who at the age of 9 father takes him out into the woods and teaches him how to shoot deer or rabbit, or takes him out to the firing range, those like Cody Posey who killed his father, stepmother, and stepsister, and his late father owned 20+ guns.

[daniel_rusk]

This event is truly saddening. But does anyone notice the violence of young teenagers these days? I think not. And why? Because they have no discipline and no direction from parents and the home. They are allowed to do nothing but play violent video games and watch mind-numbing programming on TV. And yes, the liberals are partly to blame. We no longer can punish or spank or discipline our children. We have prescribed drugs for all sorts of stupid ailments children have suddenly developed when all they really need is a good ***-whipping when they were young. Spoiled is the word to describe todays youth. They then grow up with no concern or morals, no understanding of the value of life. This is why they can kill so easily. Hollywood greed, extreme liberal democrats, and poor parenting are to blame.

[kailumego1]

Hustle, hustle, all you lobbyist defending the "right to bare arms", haven%u2019t you ever notice that whenever you read about crimes such as these the perpetrator has a full arsenal of weaponry and ammunition, as he typically comes from a %u201Cgun toting%u201D family who vehemently supports the NRA%u2019s position.

It%u2019s not the so-called %u201Cstreet criminals%u201D that are committing these gratuitous acts of violence, but deeply disturbed, disgruntled teenagers coming from %u201Cgun-toting%u201D families with not one gun for protection, but 5-20 guns showcasing their pseudo-patriotism in defense of the 2nd Amendment.

It%u2019s these individuals that pose a huge danger to innocent people not the average street thug, because the typical street thug doesn%u2019t go to malls, restaurants, post offices, schools, etc, etc. and start randomly killing innocent people for no other reason than I was picked on at school, or I%u2019m tired of being labeled an %u201Coutcast%u201D.

It is these deeply disturbed children being socialized to value the ownership of many guns, including assault weapons, which no one really needs for home protection, a 12-gauged shotgun or 9mm works for me.

[ezarems70]

As the Society/Population continues to increase, horrific unspeakable events of this nature will increase in relation to the society's size. Unfortunately, they can also be used as an indicator in the health of a society and the world. The news has made it a big thing to put images of this sort of activity on the news. This is making it easier for the sick people in the country, society, and world to justify actions like this. We are seeing events like this increasing exponentially now which is a disturbing trend. Something must be very wrong with the health of the human society in this world, and unfortunately there does not look to be an end in sight.

[bildooreilly]

Oh they do? Since when? Like when they exposed all the obvious lies about WMD's in the run up to the Iraq war?



-----------------------------------

Many things are wrong with the medi but it does its job. Think about that for a minuet.
Posted by truth_reason at 12:01 PM : Feb 13, 2007
+ report this comment

[tm_bailey]

Everyone said the same thing about Colombine High School, when 2 "kids" shot the school up. Everyone said, we need more control of guns, we need mental tests of anyone who wants a gun...what if this "kid" used his dad's gun (in which a mental test would've been ineffective) skipped school and ran amuck?

[gunownerdan]

Self Defense: A HUMAN RIGHT
a-human-right.com

The Concealed Carry Database
packing.org

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-- The Dalai Lama

[prouduscitiz]

wake up america, we are bringing self destruction, violent videogames, violent boob tube. What were we founded on? GOD , and we have already forgotten, spend quality time with your families, go to church, pray for our nation. We have too soon forgot the effects of violence in America. Do something about it. Gun Control will do nothing except give only the criminal and freaking idiots the guns. where are your children? Being exposed to violence somewhere while your sitting on your thumbs.

[slclark0029]

The only person who will ever know exactly why this event took place...Is the gunman himself.
And, he is now dead.
Therefore, he will never be able to explain to the world why he committed such a selfish act.
Innocent people are dead, for a reason that will NEVER be known.
All the arguing in the world will not get inside the head of this disturbed individual, to figure out what he was thinking, or to find any motives for his actions.
You can blame this act of violence on whatever you want...
Reality is...Nobody will ever know the truth.

[prouduscitiz]

daniel_rusk , I totally agree with you on that, I have 2 small children and I am scared to send them to public school b/c of the violence but now the malls, is America safe? Heck no, and it's our own fault because we allow 2007 Hollywood in our home. Good points there Daniel_rusk.