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Sam Penrod Reporting'Why did you shoot my son?' That's the question an Ohio man has for a UHP trooper after his son was shot and wounded after a high speed chase Sunday night. The man was shot after he and another suspect led police on a high speed chase, after allegedly robbing a motel at gunpoint.
Yesterday it was determined that both suspects had their hands up, but one trooper accidentally fired his gun, wounding the man.
John Gourno says his son does have a criminal record, but he disputes his son was involved in the armed robbery that started all this. Now he says he wants some answers about what happened, and if it really was an accident.
From his home in Ohio, John Gourno is trying to find out what he can about his 29-year old son's condition. Sunday night, Gourno along with Audie Barnes, led police on a high speed chase in a stolen car for more than 40 miles. When they finally gave up, a UHP trooper shot him once in the back.
John Gourno, Suspect's Father: "I cannot think of this now as an oops ok, ooops, the trooper's weapons accidentally discharged. Or he accidentally fired it himself or didn't mean it, as I'm trying to believe."
The UHP says all of the officers involved in making the arrest had their guns drawn because it was a felony stop.
Lt. Doug McCleve, Utah Highway Patrol: "They were very much engaged in the whole process with two very dangerous suspects."
Gourno admits his son does have a criminal past, but says he would not do anything to provoke police.
John Gourno, Suspect's Father: "They were surrendering. My son has been taught that when it's over, it's over. This was not his first time with the law. When he knows that it's useless to fight, he knows what to do."
When questioned why his son would know how to surrender to police, but not know better than to be involved in armed robbery, Gourno says the charges are only allegations.
John Gourno, Suspect's Father: "He's been accused of stealing a vehicle, been accused of armed robbery and then a high speed chase."
The trooper who fired his gun is on routine leave until the investigation is reviewed by the Carbon County attorney, who will determine if the shooting was indeed an accident. And the UHP has its own internal affairs investigation underway as well.
