Police: Intoxicated Man Shot At Kid’s Party After Showing Up with Gun

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah – A child’s birthday party ended in shots when an armed, unwelcomed guest showed up, according to Unified police.

They said a man was dropped off at a Taylorsville home, located near 4644 Hemlock Drive, intoxicated and without shoes at about 6:30 p.m.

Parents at the party noticed the man had a gun in his waistband, police said.

That’s when the host of the party asked the man to leave which he refused. The host then reached over and took the magazine out of the gun handing it to the man and asking him to leave him once again, according to Detective Ken Hansen. The suspect then left the home and walked down the street.

A resident of the home then approached his neighbors across the street who were doing yard work and began speaking with them.

One of the neighbors, who has a concealed carry permit, then went inside his home to retrieve a handgun. Shortly after that the suspect returned and confronted the group.

“During that conversation, an argument started and the intoxicated man pointed his handgun at one of the neighbors, the person who eventually shot him, and when he did that the neighbor did shoot him,” said Hansen.

Hansen said they recovered both guns following the incident.

The suspect is said to be from Tooele and a restricted person. He is known to the family.

“I know that he [the host] didn’t probably want to get his friend in trouble but you can see what happened because he didn’t call police right away. Call the police, we can deescalate it, we can remove the weapon and deal with intoxicated persons. But in this situation when you can an intoxicated person who is an armed person, generally that’s a bad recipe,” Hansen said.

The suspect was taken to the hospital in serious condition, though police said non-life threatening.

No other injuries were reported. Police believe the parents had the children gathered in the backyard and away from the confrontation.

The investigation is underway to determine if charges will be filed. Police said they believe the neighbor was acting in self-defense.