Sheriff’s Alleged Murderer in Custody

On August 30, dozens of law enforcement personnel apprehended Scott Curley, the 23 year-old man suspected of fatally shooting Kane County, Utah, Sheriff's Deputy Brian Harris, after several days of searching, as reported by CBS and Fox News.

Per Alan Alldredge, emergency services director at the Kane County Sheriff's Department in Kanab, Utah, Curley allegedly began his rampage with the assault of a high school janitor on August 25.

Alldredge states that initial attempts to locate Curley proved unsuccessful.  He was then spotted on August 26 by Kanab Officers, who tried to catch up with him during a foot pursuit.  When Curley headed into another state, officers requested assistance from their counterparts in Fredonia, Arizona to take up the pursuit. 

"Apparently, with his knowledge of the area, it's possible he knew of a spot where he could ambush the officers.  He was laying in wait underneath a tree. When these officers came up over the rise, he had his sights on them and fired upon them," Alldredge said.

It was at this moment that Officer Brian Harris was struck with a bullet from a high-powered rifle and Curley used the distraction to make his escape.

Harris, a 13-year veteran of the department, died from the gunshot wound. Police spent days searching the land south of the Utah-Arizona border to no avail.

At about 12:32 a.m. on August 30, authorities received a phone call about a suspicious man carrying a rifle in a subdivision near states lines, in the Coconino County of Arizona.  When dozens of officers responded, Curley was spotted, surrendered without resistance, and turned over his rifle.  He was in custody by 12:50 a.m.

A written statement from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office said that Curley, "was in possession of the rifle suspected to have been used in the murder of Deputy Brian Harris." He was also in possession of night vision glasses that are thought to have been of great assistance in his flight to avoid detection.

One hundred and twenty-one officers, from 21 agencies, were involved in the search and capture of Curley, reported Jim Driscoll, chief deputy for the Coconino County Sheriff.  Driscoll further mentioned that Curley "appeared very tired" upon his capture.

Kane County Sheriff Lamont Smith believes that Curly might have been attempting to enter a house for nourishment, "I would think that's what drew him to a home ... maybe food or drink."

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office will pursue extradition because Officer Harris was killed in Arizona.  They are seeking prosecution of a warrant for first degree murder.

Curley is currently being interviewed by detectives and held in a detention cell in Washington County, Utah. Detectives are also investigating whether Curley was acting alone or had any outside assistance.

Brian Harris's widow sent e-mails to authorities once she was notified by Officer Smith of the arrest. The tone of which were her feelings elation, thankfulness and being overwhelmed.

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