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PROVO — A man shot while driving by protesters in Provo on Monday suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and shrapnel in his eye and stomach, according to police.
The 60-year-old Provo resident was “stable” at a local hospital on Tuesday, according to police.
By Tuesday night, police announced that Jesse Taggart, 33, of Salt Lake City, and Samantha Darling, 27, of Ogden, had been arrested in connection with the incident. Taggart was arrested for investigation of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, rioting, threatening use of a weapon in a fight, criminal mischief and firing a weapon near a highway. Darling was arrested for investigation of obstruction of justice and rioting.
According to a pair of police affidavits, the driver of an SUV was attempting to make a turn at the intersection of Center Street and University Avenue when his path was blocked by people protesting police in front of the Provo Police Department.
“During the confrontation, a firearm was brandished and rounds were fired into the vehicle,” the affidavit states. “The first shot struck the victim and as he attempted to flee the intersection in his vehicle. (Taggart) chased after the vehicle and fired a second round that was found lodged in the steering wheel.”
Investigators received multiple cellphone videos from witnesses who recorded the shooting. In the videos, Taggart is seen walking with protesters again after the shooting, until they reached another intersection on University Avenue, according to the affidavit.
A vehicle is seen speeding away from the group while a second car is blocked in, the affidavit states. Taggart approached that vehicle and “with the handgun in his hand, he punched the driver side window with the muzzle of the gun,” according to the affidavit. “The vehicle then forced its way through the protesters to get to safety.”
Taggart then got into a car driven by Darling. Police were able to get the license plate number of the vehicle and trace it to Darling, the affidavit states.
“Both Darling and Taggart were recorded with dozens of other protesters blocking traffic and causing damage to vehicles causing alarm to citizens and other protesters,” according to the affidavit.
Provo police also confirmed Tuesday they were looking for a second gunman who is seen in videos brandishing a weapon but not shooting.
