Woman shot twice by officer in Parowan truck stop altercation pleads guilty

A burglary suspect who was shot during a confrontation with law enforcement officers June 28, pleaded guilty Tuesday in 5th District Court to charges of assaulting an officer and attempted vehicle theft.

Ivonne Casimiro, 30, and two other suspects were taken into custody on June 28 following an incident at a truck stop in Parowan. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a report of three suspects breaking into vehicles at the Travel America on Interstate 15. 

According to the official report, Casimiro made threatening moves toward officers, prompting Enoch City PoliceCpl. Jeremy Dunn to fire his weapon at her. Casimiro was hit twice in the right leg and later transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Casimiro will be sentenced Oct. 23. She faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of $15,000.

An Iron County Critical Incident Task Force investigation that included a review of Dunn’s body camera footage ruled the shooting “not justified.” No charges were filed against Dunn.

A second suspect involved in the confrontation, Jose Flores, 34, was taken into custody and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts of burglary of a vehicle. Flores has not yet entered a plea on his charges. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 26.

A third suspect, Michael Torres, 24, was apprehended later the same day. Torres entered guilty pleas Aug. 15 to charges of attempted vehicle theft, burglary of a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. Torres will be sentenced Sept. 25. He faces up to six years in prison and fines of $5,000.

Follow reporter JJ DeForest on Twitter @SpectrumJJ or contact JJ via email at jdeforest@thespectrum.com or call 435-231-1154.