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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who allegedly pointed a gun at a woman in the parking lot of the Jewish Community Center before driving off and shooting his own car has been charged.
Travis Riley Coller, 33, of Salt Lake City, was charged earlier this month with two counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony; and psychotoxic abuse, a class B misdemeanor.
Additional information about the odd series of events were revealed in a recently unsealed search warrant.
On Dec. 3, investigators believe Coller, who was driving a white Mercedes, pulled up to a woman in the parking of the Jewish Community Center, 2 Medical Drive, near the University of Utah campus, and pointed a gun at her as she was getting out of her car, according to charging documents.
"Without saying anything, the male lifted a black handgun in his right hand and pointed it directly at her. When (the woman) realized a gun was being pointed at her, in fear she screamed/yelled, 'What?!' Even after yelling at him, (the woman) stated that the male driver kept the handgun pointed at her, but never spoke or made any statements whatsoever," the search warrant stated.
The woman told police that the alleged gunman appeared to be "out of it," the warrant states.
"After pointing the gun at her for several seconds, the driver sped away," according to court documents.
Shortly after leaving the center, police believe Coller pulled up to a vehicle near 5300 S. Cottonwood St. (300 West). The driver then "heard a loud 'pop' and the window of the Mercedes shattered. The white Mercedes had a damaged right rear tire and was riding on the rim of the wheel," the charges state.
Police found the damaged vehicle high centered on the TRAX line at 175 W. 4800 South.
"Coller had gold paint on his face and hands and appeared intoxicated. Inside the Mercedes, there was gold paint smeared on the dash, vents and steering wheel. (The officer) was informed the defendant was driving with the heat turned all the way up and inhaling the paint fumes," according to charging documents.
Investigators also found a flare gun in the vehicle.
According to the warrant, Coller's stepfather told detectives that he "is a veteran experiencing a PTSD episode" and was taken to the VA Hospital after police found him.
In April of 2016, Salt Lake police were called to deal with Coller who was "waving a gun in the air in a threatening manner," intoxicated and not wearing any clothes, the warrant states. Coller was taken to the VA Hospital, according to the warrant.
An initial appearance in court was scheduled for Jan. 8.
