WEST JORDAN, Utah — Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced Friday that no criminal charges will be filed against the nine officers who fired the shots that killed Elhelbawy Adam Idrees during a multihour standoff at a West Jordan residence on Sept. 2, 2025.
DA review cited officers' accounts and civilian statements
Gill said his office reviewed interviews, body-camera footage and other evidence as part of an investigation into the confrontation at a house at 1889 W. 7265 South. Prosecutors determined, after comparing written statements from multiple officers with civilian accounts, that the officers' use of force "was not unjustified."
"Considering all the known factors, the shooting was not unjustified," Gill said in his announcement.
The incident began when a man called dispatch to report a person with a gun had threatened him, Gill's office said. The man who was later shot, 26-year-old Idrees, had been staying at the West Jordan home and, according to civilian statements, had not slept for three days and had been using methamphetamine. Investigators also learned Idrees had a prior weapons-related conviction and an outstanding warrant tied to a shooting conviction.
Sequence of events during the standoff
Authorities said the confrontation escalated into a prolonged standoff involving West Jordan SWAT, a Joint Special Operations Group and multiple agencies. According to the DA's account:
- Officers began negotiations shortly after 6 p.m..
- Chemical gas was deployed inside the house in an attempt to confine Idrees to a specific room and to allow residents to exit safely.
- Three women were able to leave the residence; one woman reportedly remained inside.
- Shortly before 9:21 p.m., officers heard coughing inside the home and saw Idrees come out from downstairs holding a rifle.
- Witnesses and officers said the rifle was initially pointed downward; officers contend Idrees began raising it, at which point they fired.
Authorities said Idrees died at the scene. The DA's decision means none of the officers involved will face criminal prosecution in connection with the shooting.
Local impact and questions remaining
The DA's ruling closes the criminal-review portion of the case, but it may not end public scrutiny or civil questions about the encounter. Family members, community groups and civil-rights advocates sometimes pursue separate inquiries or civil litigation after officer-involved shootings. The DA’s announcement did not address whether any administrative or internal department reviews will follow at the West Jordan Police Department or other agencies involved.
Residents in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred have in past similar incidents raised concerns about use-of-force decisions and transparency. The address involved — a rental arrangement at 1889 W. 7265 South — was identified in the DA's account as the location where Idrees had been staying. Officials described the scene earlier as armed and potentially gang-affiliated, which shaped the law enforcement response.
| Detail | Reported fact |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | Sept. 2, 2025 |
| Victim | Elhelbawy Adam Idrees, 26 |
| Location | 1889 W. 7265 South, West Jordan |
| Number of officers who fired | Nine |
| Time negotiations began | Shortly after 6 p.m. |
| Time of shooting | Just before 9:21 p.m. |
Sim Gill's statement said officers were not required to make oral statements to investigators but that several provided written accounts, which played a role in the DA's assessment. Civilian statements were also used to corroborate aspects of the officers' narratives.
As of the DA's announcement, prosecutors said there will be no criminal charges filed. Local officials and the West Jordan Police Department could provide additional details about administrative actions or internal reviews in the coming days.
WE NEWS will continue to follow any developments, including responses from Idrees' family, the West Jordan Police Department and community organizations.
