Utah man wounded in Vernal shootout that left sergeant hospitalized charged with attempted murder

A Vernal man who police say shot and wounded a sergeant before he was injured in the shootout himself has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors.

Rooku Rosscol Curry, 27, has been charged in 8th District Court with two counts of attempted aggravated murder and discharge of a gun causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; and possession of a gun by a restricted person, a second-degree felony.

He also faces charges of aggravated assault and illegal discharge of a gun, third-degree felonies; and threatening to use a weapon in a fight and failing to stop at the command of police, both class A misdemeanors.

According to charging documents, police received a call shortly before noon Saturday about an intoxicated man with a gun in the area of 750 North and 400 East in Vernal.

When officers drove up to him, Curry began firing a handgun at them, police said. Vernal police Sgt. Chad Watt was hit “several times” and drove himself to a local hospital. He was then flown to a Salt Lake City hospital, where he remains in stabilized.

According to a probable cause statement, two police vehicles were struck by gunfire, and officers fired back at Curry, wounding him. He ran away, but was taken into custody a short time later. Curry was also flown to a Salt Lake City hospital.

A Uintah County Sheriff deputy was also treated for minor injuries and released.

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