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PRICE -- A Carbon County sheriff's deputy was shot during a standoff outside a Price home Saturday. The accused shooter has been taken into custody, while the deputy is at home recovering.
According to the Price City Police Department, the situation began with several officers being dispatched to Castleview Hospital around 6:25 p.m. to meet with a woman who said she had been assaulted by her estranged husband, 40-year-old Gary Hinkins, at their home.
Mechelle Hinkins, 40, was treated for serious blunt force trauma to her head and hands.
It was unbelievable. There were bullets flying everywhere, ricocheting off the fences, off houses or whatever. It was just everywhere.
–Eric Hilliard
Meanwhile, several parole agents and two sheriff's deputies went to the Hinkins home at 211 S. 400 West to find Gary Hinkins. When they arrived, Hinkins was hiding in an RV behind the house.
When the deputies ordered Hinkins to come out, he fired at least seven rounds at them with a shotgun. One deputy returned fire.
"It was unbelievable. There were bullets flying everywhere, ricocheting off the fences, off houses or whatever. It was just everywhere," said Eric Hilliard, who saw the shootout take place.
Deputy Michael Hreinson, 44, was struck by at least one round and was taken to Castleview Hospital where he was treated for wounds to his right leg and torso. He has since been released.
Witnesses were told Hinkins also had pipe bombs with him. He dropped one while hiding in a child's playhouse in a Hilliard's backyard.
"It was scary," Hilliard said. "It could be anybody that does that."
"I heard thee big blasts and three smaller-caliber blasts," said neighbor Dave Fuller, who lives across the street. "I walked out the door to see what was going on and the officer across the street told me to get back in the house. We sit on the patio all the time in the summer. Had it been a summertime night, somebody could have been hit."
Hinkins led police on a chase through at least two more yards before he was taken into custody while neighbors watched. He was booked into the Carbon County Jail on suspicion of multiple charges, including four counts of attempted homicide of a police officer, attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
At least one home was evacuated during the shootout. The family was able to return home around 7:00 a.m. Sunday.
Neighbors are wishing Deputy Hreinson a speedy recovery and thanking law enforcement for a quick response.
"They put it on the line every day and people don't realize it," said Hilliard.
A call taker with the Price Domestic Violence line says they're seeing an increase in cases -- often due to drugs or economic stress.
Story compiled with contributions from Sarah Dallof and the DMC News Team.
