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Idaho officer killed in Utah in fight over ex-girlfriend

Posted at 1:01 PM, Feb 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-22 17:57:07-05

SALT LAKE CITY — Authorities say an off-duty Idaho Falls police officer was fatally shot after he entered a Utah home uninvited and confronted a man who was dating his ex-girlfriend.

Layton Police Lt. James Petre said Friday that Idaho Falls police officer Blaine Reed was shot several times Thursday night by the homeowner in Layton, Utah.

Petre says the 35-year-old Reed was shot after getting into a fight with the homeowner, who police aren't identifying. Petre says no arrests have been made but that it appears the homeowner was within his legal bounds for self-defense.

An attorney for an off-duty Idaho Falls police officer who authorities say was fatally shot after he entered a Utah home uninvited says the man was upset after finding out his longtime friend was in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

Lawyer Joseph Filicetti said Friday that officer Blaine Reed called him Thursday night to tell him he felt betrayed by his long-time friend. Filicetti says he told Reed to get counseling and not do anything stupid.

Filicetti says he later found out from Reed's sister that he had been killed. Filicetti says Reed was a "solid guy" who "wore his emotions on his sleeve."

Idaho Falls Police spokeswoman Jessica Clements says Reed had been on administrative leave since November after he was charged in a domestic violence incident. Idaho court records show Reed was accused of attempted strangulation and assault, but further details weren't available.

Filicetti represented him in that case and says Reed had pleaded not guilty to attempted strangulation and assault charges. Filicetti says Reed did not hit the alleged victim, a girlfriend, and only had a verbal argument.

Layton Police Lt. James Petre says the 35-year-old Reed was shot several times Thursday night by an unidentified homeowner in Layton, Utah, during an argument about Reed's ex-girlfriend.