Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
OREM — A resident at a care facility in Orem was charged Tuesday with killing another resident during a confrontation that police say started as an argument over food preparation.
Brandon James Hooks, 38, of Orem, is charged in Utah's 4th District Court with murder, a first-degree felony, and three counts of assault, a class B misdemeanor.
Orem police were called to a "care home for the mentally deficient," at 113 E. 800 South on Sunday, according to a police booking affidavit.
Hooks and Timothy Dastrup shared an apartment at the facility. The two men were in the kitchen when Hooks "became angry that Timothy had put mayonnaise in the crab cake mix. The two then began exchanging some verbal jabs," charging documents state.
Police say Hooks used used a derogatory word in addressing Dastrup, who responded by making a reference to Hooks' deceased mother.
As a caseworker attempted to step between the two men, Hooks pushed the worker into a table and assaulted Dastrup, hitting him multiple times, according to the charges, before wrapping his arm around Dastrup's neck from behind.
That employee went to get help from a second employee.
"When she returned, Timothy was face down in the kitchen with (Hooks) on top of him and (Hooks) still had his hand around Timothy's neck. Timothy was telling the defendant to get off of him because he could not breathe," the charges state, adding that the two employees pulled Hooks' arm off of Dastrup, but he "was able to break away from them and put his arm back around Timothy's neck."
Hooks then hit one of the employees when she tried again to pull his arm away, according to police, and a second employee was also hit several times while trying to get between the two men.
"(Hooks) repeatedly struck Timothy in the head until Timothy was bleeding from his mouth and nose," the charges allege.
The program director was called and was able to talk Hooks into releasing Dastrup, who, by then, was not conscious or breathing. Dastrup was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hooks "has the mental capacity of an 8-year-old child," according to the affidavit.
