BOX ELDER COUNTY — A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for the man accused of shooting and killing two Tremonton police officers and injuring a Box Elder County Sheriff’s deputy and his K9 officer earlier this year.
According to court records, Ryan Michael Bate, 33, appeared virtually from the Box Elder County Jail for a brief hearing on Thursday in Brigham City’s 1st District Court. As in his initial appearance, Bate kept his head lowered and did not speak during the proceedings.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys worked with Judge Spencer Walsh to set a date for the preliminary hearing, which is now scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. The date may be subject to change depending on other trial commitments for the attorneys involved.
Bate has been held without bail since his arrest in August. He is charged in connection with the deaths of Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, and the shooting of Deputy Mike Allred and his K9 service dog, Azula.
He faces several charges, including two capital offenses of aggravated murder. State prosecutors have confirmed their intention to seek the death penalty for Bate. The preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
The deadly confrontation occurred when officers responded to a domestic violence incident in Tremonton. Sgt. Sorensen and Officer Estrada were killed in the line of duty, drawing an outpouring of grief and support from communities across Utah and the law enforcement brotherhood.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.