The man accused of killing a police officer and wounding five others said he thought people were breaking into his home to "rob and kill me."
Matthew David Stewart, 37, said he never heard officers identify themselves or announce they were at his home to serve a search warrant. Stewart, in an interview Friday at the Weber County Jail, said his alarm clock woke him, then he heard a crash that sounded like glass breaking.
"Some parts I remember vividly," Stewart said of the Jan. 4 shootout. "Other parts it was like I was running on instinct.
"When you’re convinced that you are getting robbed and most likely killed by a group of armed men, your instincts kick in."
Although Stewart said he didn’t hear officers announce themselves, he didn’t answer whether he had some indication police officers had entered his home.
"I didn’t know," he said. "All I knew for sure is they were there to rob and kill me."
Court documents claim Stewart was in a hiding spot as the strike force was searching the house to see if anyone was inside. Stewart then emerged from the hiding spot, court documents say, and began firing a 9 mm Beretta, first shooting Officer Shawn Grogan in the face.
Francom was shot six times, according to the court papers.
Stewart served in the U.S. Army. He saw no combat but said the training was meant to be "like the real thing." On Friday, he said he also worked nine years as armed security for the Internal Revenue Service.
Stewart said he has not been diagnosed with any disorders as a result of his service, though on Friday he said he felt the Army and security stints changed him. He did not elaborate.
When asked whether he applied his military and security training the night of the shooting, Stewart replied: "It makes sense."
As for Francom and the injured officers, Stewart said: "I’m totally devastated that anybody had to suffer over any of this. This never should have happened."
