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SALT LAKE CITY — A shootout between two men during a robbery attempt resulted in both being treated for gunshot wounds and one man booked into jail.
Cameron Mullahkhel, 23, of West Valley City, was treated for a gunshot wound to his abdomen before being booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated robbery causing serious injury, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, drug distribution and tampering with evidence.
About 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Mullahkhel arranged to meet a 24-year-old man who was selling a diamond necklace online, said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer. When the two met, Mullahkhel asked the man to go to a pawn shop to verify that the diamonds were real.
After verifying the authenticity of the diamonds, the two drove together to downtown Salt Lake City. But near 45 West and 300 South, after Mullahkhel had paid for the necklace, he pulled out a gun to rob the victim of the money he had just paid him, the diamond necklace, a second gold necklace the victim was wearing and a credit card, Shearer said.
As Mullahkhel was getting out of the car, the necklace seller drew his own weapon, according to a jail report.
"Gunshots were exchanged," Shearer said.
The man selling the jewelry was shot in the foot. He suffered minor injuries, Shearer said. Mullahkhel was shot in the abdomen and ran from the scene but was tracked down by Salt Lake police a short time later. He was found to also be in possession of heroin when arrested, the report states.
Mullahkhel's family, however, believes he shot the other man in self-defense.
Mullahkhel's arrest comes four days after he was charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of forgery, a third-degree felony; theft; and theft by deception, class A misdemeanors.
