Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MILLCREEK — An 18-year-old man who allegedly fired three rounds of a shotgun at an ex-friend's house because of a dispute over a girl was arrested by a SWAT team using armored vehicles early Wednesday.
Micah Mackley, 18, of Murray, was arrested by Unified police for investigation of illegally firing a gun and threat of violence.
The series of events began about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1008 E. Millcreek Way. Unified police were called to the house on a report of shots fired and arrived to find someone had fired a shotgun at the residence, said Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke.
Several males inside the residence told police they "heard three loud bangs, glass shattering and something hitting the house," according to a Salt Lake County Jail report. They went outside and found damage to the exterior of the house caused by shotgun blasts in three separate places, including a sliding glass door.
One of the men in the house told detectives there was an ongoing dispute with Mackley, a "past friend," over a "mutual girlfriend," the report states. Mackley had used Facebook messenger and texts to threaten the man that he was going to kill him and burn his house down, according to the report.
The texts also allegedly referred to a separate shooting at another residence, but the names in the report were redacted.
About the same time, investigators believe Mackley vandalized a business in the Millcreek area. Lohrke did not have information on which business was vandalized or the damage caused.
About an hour later, a drive-by shooting was reported at 4257 S. 1650 East. Based on the description of the gunman's vehicle, police believed Mackley was responsible, Lohrke said. In that incident, two shotgun blasts hit the front door and exterior of the house.
Investigators set up surveillance on Mackley's residence, 832 E. 4315 South, and reported watching him drive up to his house at a high rate of speed and then hurry inside. After police surrounded the home, they ordered everyone to come out.
Mackley's father and grandmother exited the residence, but Mackley did not, according to Lohrke.
After numerous failed attempts to communicate with Mackley, the Unified police SWAT team was called. Neighbors reported seeing armored vehicles go through yards to reach the house.
About 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, SWAT team members entered the house and found Mackley asleep in the basement, Lohrke said. He was placed under arrest.
