Darrien Hunt was shot six times by police while running away, family claims

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SALT LAKE CITY  — A young black man in Utah was fatally shot 6 times by the police, after allegedly lunging at officers with a 2.5-foot steel blade sword.

Last Wednesday, Saratoga Springs police claim they were called to investigate a “suspicious” man walking near businesses while carrying a “samurai-type sword.” Once they arrived at the scene, they say 22 year old Darrien Hunt attacked them, ultimately resulting in his death.

Randall Edwards, an attorney for the family of Darrien Hunt, adamantly disputes the bizarre claims. According to Edwards, an independent autopsy requested by the family shows Hunt was actually shot “numerous times, all from the rear”.

In a statement released Saturday night, Edwards states:

“This [autopsy report] is consistent with statements made by witnesses on the scene, who report that Darrien was shot to death while running away from police. It would appear difficult, if not impossible, to reconcile these facts with a story that Darrien was lunging toward the officers when he was shot.”

Hunt’s mother, Susan Hunt, says her son was carrying a 3-foot “toy” sword bought at an Asian gift store when officers approached him. She is white and Hunt’s father is black. She believes it’s her child’s black lineage that got him killed.

“No white boy with a little sword would they shoot while he’s running away,” she says.

This tragedy has become a horrifying wake up call for Hunt’s white family members, specifically his aunt Cindy Moss, who never believed stories about mistreatment of black people until her nephew’s death.

“It’s difficult to make any sense out of the situation any other way [than race],” Moss told The Salt Lake Tribune. “The police make it sound like it was a big sword he was wielding. I’m offended that they even say he was armed with a weapon.”

In a statement released on Friday, Saratoga Springs police maintain that claims of racial intolerance are “completely unfounded and speculative. Our officers responded to a call for service and addressed the situation that was presented to them.”

The shooting is still under investigation.

A candlelight vigil was set for Sunday night at the spot where Hunt died.

Sources: Associated Press & The Salt Lake Tribune.