Man Shot and Killed after Road Rage Incident

Long was driving a Ford Explorer, the deceased victim was in a Dodge Ram pickup truck.  

By Amelia Long, October 16th 2024

On Monday October 7th at 5:30 a.m. on one of the busiest streets of Salt Lake, eastbound SR-201 was closed until 1:30, after a result of a 50-year-old man killed after he cut in front of a 44-year-old man. 

The victim was identified at Jose R. Ramirez a day later. 

Investigators viewed the dash cam and allegedly state that the suspect Thomas Jim Long, in an SUV, swerved into the victim after the victim had cut him off. Cutting off and brake checking him, Long resulted the victim to collided with the vehicle multiple times. At one point the victim swerved into Long’s vehicle, and this derived Long to go in front of the 50-year-old forcing both their vehicles to collide with a concrete barrier. After the collision Long allegedly shot at the victim, Police state that there were 15 bullet casings in the SUV. 

"We want to make sure that people maintain control of their emotions that we help, get people to and from, and that people can travel on our roadways here in Utah safely," said Lt. Cameron Roden with the Utah Highway Patrol. 

No evidence was shown that these two were ever in any kind of relationship before this confrontation. 

Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, seeking information from witnesses and reviewing any available surveillance footage. 

Long has been booked in Salt Lake County Jail with no bail, on charges of first-degree murder, third-degree felony aggravated assault, and reckless driving. Long stated that it was self-defense according to police.