Man threatens Rock Springs police officers with knife in local restaurant
ROCK SPRINGS β Rock Springs police officers arrested a man on Aug. 12 after he threatened them with a knife at a local pizzeria.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, the Rock Springs Police Department responded to the Pizza Hut located at 80 Gateway Boulevard for a reported subject removal.
According to restaurant staff, the male customer had brought alcohol into the business, refused multiple requests to leave and eventually passed out in a dining booth.
According to the agencyβs Aug. 12 Facebook post on its page, RSPD officers arrived on scene and attempted to wake the individual, establish his identity, and ensure he had a safe destination. During the encounter, officers made the decision to place the man under arrest. As officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, the man pulled out a large knife and directly threatened the officers.
Officers repeatedly ordered the man to drop the knife and attempted to de-escalate the situation. When he refused to comply, officers deployed a Taser and beanbag rounds in an effort to stop the threat without using greater force. The man was taken to the ground but continued to actively resist, fighting with officers and making slashing motions toward them with the knife. Officers physically engaged the suspect, successfully disarmed him, and placed him in handcuffs.
One RSPD officer suffered a laceration to his hand during the struggle to disarm the suspect. The officer was evaluated and treated by medical staff at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.
The suspect sustained injuries during the altercation requiring immediate medical attention. Officers provided initial care on scene before he was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.
The scene is fully secure, and there is no threat to the community.
The identity of the suspect and formal charges will be released following booking and formal processing.
This story was published on August 19, 2026.Β
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