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In a recent development, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office has concluded that the use of deadly force by a West Valley Police officer was justified, following an officer-involved shooting episode that took place on New Year's Day. The suspect, Erik Bertelsen, was fatally shot as he stabbed his parents to death, an act that ceased only when law enforcement intervened. According to FOX 13 Now, District Attorney Sim Gill expressed this ruling on Friday. There is an undercurrent to this tragic event, one that points to deeper systemic issues. Sim Gill emphasized the necessity for more robust mental health resources to prevent such incidents in the future. Before the fateful day, Erik Bertelsen had been released from prison, entered a spiraling descent fueled by illegal drugs, and faced multiple psychiatric commitments. "Pink sheeted" thrice, including one incident that occurred shortly after his release, he deemed as a cry for help, yet the interventions proved insufficient, as reported by KSL.com. Familial tensions and concerns about Bertelsen's behavior had earlier been flagged by relatives. Chasity Ulibarri, relative to the Bertelsens, told KUTV in January, "I kinda felt like something was going to happen, I sent the cops over here for a welfare check four days ago because I knew he would keep taking their phones, and it wasn’t them that was answering me." Nevertheless, by the time the officers arrived at the Bertelsen residence, it was discovered that the lifeless bodies of Terri and Kerry Bertelsen and their son, who was subsequently shot during the altercation.
