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PROVO — An Orem man accused of shooting his brother has been charged with attempted murder.
Arthur Henry Freek, 60, faces a single charge of attempted murder, a first-degree felony, after police say he shot his younger brother, David Freek, in the chest during an argument.
The brothers both lived in the Orem home, 515 E. 1834 South. A police affidavit says David Freek was hospitalized in intensive care under sedation as of Monday. He suffered a perforated lung.
David Freek's ex-wife was also at the home at the time of the shooting on July 20, the affidavit states, and was in the bathroom when she heard a gunshot. The woman told police that Arthur Freek opened the bathroom door and told her to "get out before she lost her legs."
The woman fled, calling 911 to report David Freek had been "shot in the heart."
Arthur Freek also called 911, telling dispatchers, "I shot him because he threatened me," according to the affidavit filed in 4th District Court.
When the dispatcher asked what the brother had used to make the threat, Arthur Freek allegedly responded, "The other day he threatened me."
David Freek managed to get to the front yard of a neighbor's home after the shooting, where police found him.
Arthur Freek briefly had a standoff with officers, refusing to come out of his house for about 25 minutes before surrendering, police said. When officers arrested Freek, they reported finding a pistol in his pocket with a bullet in the chamber and four more rounds in the magazine.
Arthur Freek is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. He has no apparent criminal record in Utah. Email: mromero@deseretnews.com Twitter: McKenzieRomero
