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WEST VALLEY CITY — A 72-year-old man was shot multiple times after answering a knock at his door Saturday night.
As of Sunday morning, police said they had no idea of a possible motive.
"On the surface, it's pretty frightening," said West Valley Police Lt. Dalan Taylor. "It's really baffling. We really don't have a motive. We're not sure if it was mistaken identity."
The man, whose name was not released, remained hospitalized in critical condition Sunday.
The victim and his wife had just returned home about 10:40 p.m. from a night out at the symphony, according to neighbors.
The wife was upstairs when there was a knock at the door of their home in the 3900 block of Meadowgate Drive. The husband answered and was instantly shot multiple times without any words spoken.
Neighbors were at the house Sunday morning cleaning blood off the carpet. Inside, two chunks of drywall had been cut out by police where bullets struck the walls. Neighbors say at least four shots were fired.
The man's wife heard the gunshots and came out in time to see what she believed was a man in dark clothing running off.
I just don't understand. He was too nice of a guy. He was still wearing his suit. It was right after he got home is when all of this happened. Either they were waiting for him or they followed him home or something, I have no idea.
–Erin Wyttenbach, neighbor of the victim
Neighbor Erin Wyttenbach said she was in her bedroom when she heard the shots. She called 911 and then went outside to see what was happening.
"I slowly went up towards the driveway over there and seen his door open and he was laying in his doorway. His wife tried to immediately close the door because she didn't know if it was the perpetrator or somebody else," she said.
Wyttenbach said she and other neighbors tried to help the man remain calm until police and an ambulance arrived. She said she believed the man was shot four times in the neck, chest and face.
Neighbors say they have no idea who would have done this, and do not believe the man had any enemies.
"I just don't understand. He was too nice of a guy," Wyttenbach said. "He was still wearing his suit. It was right after he got home is when all of this happened. Either they were waiting for him or they followed him home or something, I have no idea.
"I've never seen him with any enemies. He's always taking care of somebody," she said. "He has rental properties, taking care of people and all of that kind of stuff. I don't know who would do it. I just don't understand."
The gunman was last seen running north.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen the incident or the couple or anything that could provide a clue, to call police at 801-840-4000.
