This is Todd Rory Murray:
Todd was 21 years old when he and his minor friend rode in a black sedan on Highway 40 in Uintah County, Utah on April 1st, 2007. The minor was the driver and was speeding down the highway when Highway Patrol took notice and attempted to pull them over. Todd also had a $20,000 arrest warrant out on him as well as drugs in his system. The sedan reached speeds of 115 miles per hour as they entered the Ute Indian Reservation. A Vernal police officer joined the chase and the car got stuck on a dirt road. Todd and the driver exited and ran in separate directions. Officers reported that Todd fired two shots that didn't hit anyone during the foot chase and eventually put the gun to his head and shot himself. While officers claim they returned fire at Todd, they report he was the one to eventually end his own life.
Todd allegedly shot himself behind his left ear which family says is unlikely due to him being right-handed. Family was also critical that police destroyed Todd's firearm in the middle of their investigation. Authorities report that the gun belonged to the minor driver and once he admitted that fact and the coroner ruled Todd died as a result of suicide, they were within their rights to destroy it. Todd's family filed two lawsuits against the FBI which were both thrown out, rulings that held up on appeal.
A federal appeals judge decided to hear the case in 2022. The family wants answers to some of the inconsistencies they note in the investigation process including witness testimony that was never gathered, lack of blood on Todd's hand despite allegedly shooting himself in the head as well as the destruction of the gun. It is likely the investigators involved will have to testify. As of 2024 I could not find an update online on the outcome of this case. May Todd's memory be a blessing and may his family and community receive justice.
Tribal Information: Todd is a member of the Ute tribe of Uintah
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Disclaimer: Justice for Native People documents instances of police violence as the rates of death in these interactions exceeds those of any other community. Indigenous women are 38 times more likely to die at the hands of police than white women, and Indigenous men are 14 times more likely. JFNP documents these instances to understand the circumstances surrounding them in the hopes that policing procedures can be evaluated and future interactions can be improved.
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