Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST JORDAN — A landlord was arrested and accused of firing shots into the bedroom of his tenant's apartment in a dispute over rent money.
Michael Thomas Boska, 61, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault, felony discharge of a firearm, and possession of dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
On Tuesday, a man told police that he was sitting in his basement apartment that he rents from Boska, near 9000 South and 2000 West, when he heard Boska "hollering and pounding" from upstairs.
"The victim said he felt like the hollering and pounding was directed toward him because there had been disputes between him and Boska about rent money that was owed," according to a police booking affidavit.
Later, after the man believed his roommate had spoken to Boska and the situation had settled down, the man said he was sitting on his bed when gunshots started coming through his ceiling. "The victim said he was not sure what was happening at first, but realized they were gunshots when he saw that there was drywall coming down onto the bed," the affidavit states.
The man ran to his car, called 911 and drove away. Police arrived at the house and took Boska to the West Jordan Police Department for questioning. Boska told officers he fired his gun three times, according to the affidavit.
"Boska said he figured the victim was in his bedroom because he never leaves. Boska said he was intentionally firing into the victim's bedroom, but was shooting to the side of where he believed the victim to be located. Boska said he was upset with the victim because the victim was trying to take away his home and money," police wrote in the affidavit.
"(He) admitted to firing a gun at the floor and into a bedroom where he believed his tenant was located due to a dispute over money."
