Two Utah Officers Fatally Shot by Suspect with Prior Domestic Violence Arrests

Two Utah Officers Fatally Shot by Suspect with Prior Domestic Violence Arrests

Incident Overview

On the evening of Sunday, August 17, 2025, two Tremonton‑Garland police officers—Sergeant Lee Sorensen (age 56) and Officer Eric Estrada (age 31)—were tragically shot and killed while responding to multiple 911 hang‑up calls related to a domestic disturbance in Tremonton, Utah. People.comKSL.comkvnutalk.comWikipedia

A Box Elder County sheriff’s deputy and a police K‑9 were also injured when the suspect opened fire; both are now in recovery. People.comKSL.comhttps://www.wmtv15news.comWikipedia

The Suspect: Ryan Michael Bate

Ryan Michael Bate, 32, was arrested at the scene after bystanders persuaded him to surrender. He is currently held without bail on multiple charges, including:

• Capital aggravated murder (two counts)

• Attempted aggravated murder

• Assault People.comkvnutalk.comGephardt DailyWikipedia

Prior Domestic Violence History

Court and arrest records reveal a concerning pattern of domestic violence:

• In May 2024, at the same residence, Bate was charged with aggravated assault and three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child. He allegedly grabbed a woman by the throat, threw her onto a couch, broke a chair, and red marks were observed on her neck. Officers rated the situation as “high risk” in a lethality assessment. KSL.comkvnutalk.comFOX 13 News Utah (KSTU)

• That case was dismissed later in 2024—reportedly because the alleged victim chose not to testify. KSL.comkvnutalk.comFOX 13 News Utah (KSTU)

• Additionally, in 2021, Bate faced misdemeanor domestic violence and assault charges in Tremonton, which were also dismissed under a plea agreement. KSL.comFOX 13 News Utah (KSTU)Wikipedia

Just prior to the shooting, Bate had reportedly assaulted his wife by slamming her head into a doorframe. KSL.comGephardt Daily

Summary Table