911 Call Appears To Contradict Police Narrative In Darrien Hunt's Killing (AUDIO)

The Huffington Post | By Simon McCormack

Posted: 10/04/2014 11:31 am EDT Updated: 10/05/2014 9:59 am EDT

The audio recording of the 911 call that led to the killing of a 22-year-old Utah man may contradict what cops initially said about the incident.

The Guardian reports that Saratoga Springs Police previously said they were called to a strip mall to investigate a "suspicious individual" carrying a sword. But the 911 call (which can be heard above) mentions nothing about Hunt being suspicious.

The caller said Hunt was "just walking" around the strip mall. The Guardian notes that, under Utah laws, Hunt would be legally allowed to carry a sword, even if it were real. The sword was a replica, according to Hunt's family.

Police have said Hunt was killed after he "lunged" at officers after a confrontation outside a bank. But witnesses said Hunt was running away as shots were fired and the Hunt's family lawyer said an independent autopsy showed the 22-year-old African-American was shot six times from behind. Lawyer Randall Edwards said the fatal shot hit Hunt in the back.

Edwards also said Hunt was likely role-playing as an anime character when he was confronted by police.

Saratoga Springs Police Chief Andrew Burton told Fox Saratoga Springs the fact that Hunt was walking around with a sword was enough for the 911 operator to label his actions "suspicious."

“She felt like the caller indicated, ‘Hey the guy’s got a samurai sword,’ which is not something you run into very often so that bit of information caused some concern,” Burton said.

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