LOCAL NEWS

Tomahawk seized in death of Tooele man allegedly killed by 9-year-old son

Mar 14, 2024, 10:55 AM | Updated: 6:27 pm

TOOELE — A 9-year-old boy accused of shooting and killing his father in Tooele is also believed to have used a tomahawk-style hatchet during the brutal attack, according to police.

The shocking incident on Feb. 16 is still being investigated by Tooele police. But a pair of recently unsealed search warrants in 3rd District Court give glimpses into some of the evidence that detectives have collected.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on that day, police were called to the area of 300 West and 500 South in Tooele on a report of a 32-year-old man found in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to his head. The father was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries the next day.

According to the warrants, one served on Feb. 16 and the other on Feb. 22, the emergency crews responding to the home initially believed the man had attempted suicide.

“Upon further investigation, (he) was found to have been shot in the back of the head and had lacerations to his head, face, hands and arms. Medical personnel at the hospital advised that the lacerations to the extremities appeared to be ‘defensive wounds,'” one warrant states.

Police expert: 9-year-old arrested in Tooele homicide investigation not too young to be charged

Police searching the room found a bullet hole in a curtain, a hatchet and several firearms along with various amounts of ammunition and firearm-related items inside the bedroom, according to one of the warrants.

Among the items seized on Feb. 16 were a hatchet, several gun magazines, a gun, and pants that were child size, the return to the warrant states.

Another warrant states there were likely seven other people in the home at the time of the shooting, including five children under the age of 11. The father and his 9-year-old son had “retired to bed early due to behavioral problems and went into the bedroom that they share.

“The victim’s son later emerged from the room and said that his dad was bleeding from the head and was dead,” the warrant states.

A gun was found under the bed where the father was found, the warrant further explains, as well as “a tomahawk style hatchet … covered in blood. A shell casing was found in the corner of the bedroom. A bullet hole was found in the curtain and another one slightly above it in the window frame case.”

Detectives seized a tablet that the 9-year-old allegedly claimed he had been using “immediately prior to the homicide,” the warrant states. Other people in the home said the boy had regular access to his father’s phone and used it to play games and contact people.

“Occupants of the home describe the (boy) as spending a lot of time on these devices, consuming content, watching videos and playing video games. There have been instances where the (boy) has viewed videos that were deemed not age appropriate and shared details of these videos to other children in the home, resulting in discipline. The games described as the suspect’s preference are particularly violent in nature and one in particular, ‘Modern Warfare: Warzone’ incorporate the same weapons in gameplay that were found and used in the assault, a 9mm Glock type handgun and a tomahawk,” according to the warrant.

Police noted that the crime was “particularly gruesome” and that the “specific methods used in the assault — single shot to the head, followed up with tomahawk strikes” — are not typically actions taken “or even known about” by 9-year-old children.

Police say their investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

“Because of Juvenile Court rules and applicable privacy laws, I cannot make any comments about the case,” Tooele County Attorney Scott Broadhead said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Elder Paul Hardin and Sister Mary Hardin, missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

Mark Jones

Sister missionary, 65, killed in California crash

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Sunday evening a sister missionary died following a vehicle crash Saturday night in California.

7 hours ago

a black and white police car...

Mark Jones

Police investigating apparent murder-suicide in Salt Lake City home

Salt Lake City police are investigating the death of a father and his son as an apparent murder-suicide.

8 hours ago

People who live near the intersection of 2300 East and Canyon Road in Spanish Fork voiced their fru...

Kiersten Nunez

Residents express concern over Spanish Fork intersection where 2 young girls were hit

One day after two teenage girls were critically injured after being struck by a car, Spanish Fork residents voiced their concerns over the safety of the intersection.

8 hours ago

The South Salt Lake Police Department is pictured on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The South Salt Lake Po...

Devin Oldroyd, KSL.com

South Salt Lake Police Department searching for missing, endangered 13-year-old

The South Salt Lake Police Department is looking for a missing and endangered 13-year-old girl Sunday.

12 hours ago

FILE (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Man critically injured in Salt Lake City stabbing

A man is in critical condition after he was stabbed in the Avenues neighborhood of downtown Salt Lake early Sunday.

14 hours ago

police lights...

Mary Culbertson

Six killed, 10 injured in Idaho Falls crash involving passenger van

Six people were killed and 10 others were injured in an Idaho Falls crash after a pickup truck collided with a passenger van.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Electrician repairing ceiling fan with lamps indoors...

Lighting Design

Stay cool this summer with ceiling fans

When used correctly, ceiling fans help circulate cool and warm air. They can also help you save on utilities.

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Tomahawk seized in death of Tooele man allegedly killed by 9-year-old son