LOGAN — A 32-year-old Tremonton man charged with shooting and killing two police officers, and wounding a sheriff’s deputy and K-9 made his first appearance before a judge Friday morning. Ryan Michael Bate sat with his head down, sobbing and wiping tears from his eyes during the 25 minute hearing.
Bate made his initial appearance in Brigham City’s 1st District Court, Aug. 22, appearing by web conference from the Weber County Jail. He was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, a capital offense; four counts of attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; three counts of possessing an explosive and several misdemeanors, including domestic violence in the presence of a child. The Box Elder County Attorney’s Office also refiled a separate domestic violence case that was previously dismissed.
After reviewing the 25 charges, Judge Spencer Walsh told Bate, prosecutors had filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in accordance with state law.
“You are hereby on notice that they are seeking the death penalty for counts two and three, aggravated murder, in violation of Utah Code 76-5-202,” Judge Walsh told Bate.
According to a probable cause statement, Bate got into a violent argument with his wife, allegedly beating her in front of three children and slamming her head into a door frame. The woman tried to get police to the home by calling 911 and hanging up. When the first officer arrived, Bate allegedly retrieved a high-powered rifle and shot at the officer’s vehicle as he was leaving. The officer parked and called for backup. As the wife ran down the street yelling that Bate had a gun, he allegedly shot and killed the officer who was attempting to help her.
A second officer, who arrived shortly after and found the first officer in the road, was also allegedly shot and killed while attempting to provide aid. A deputy, Mike Allred, and his K-9, Azula, then arrived on the scene and were both injured when Bate allegedly fired two more shots. The Tremonton man also reportedly fired at a neighbor’s vehicle, which he may have mistaken for an unmarked police car. Bate was eventually taken into custody. The fallen officers were later identified as Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada.
During Friday’s court hearing, Judge Walsh assigned Bate two public defenders, who will represent him. He also advised the suspect of his 5th Amendment Rights.
“I do need to inform (you),” Judge Walsh to Bate, “that at this hearing and future hearings, he is not required to make any statement. And, any statement he makes in open court, could be used against him in a court of law. So, I just wanted to make sure he was aware of that important constitutional right.”
Bate was ordered to remain in jail, being held temporarily without bail, while attorneys review evidence in the case. He is scheduled to appear again in court October 30.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.