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SOUTH JORDAN — Police have arrested a man who they say shot another man who was trying to break up a fight at a party.
Jeremiah John Thompson, 19, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Sunday for investigation of attempted murder, using a dangerous weapon in a fight, illegal shooting, carrying a gun while under the influence, and underage drinking.
Early Sunday, police said they were called to the area of 10100 South and 3650 West on a report of a shooting. While officers were setting up containment around the home, a shot was heard from inside.
Thompson came out of the home and was taken into custody. He told police that his stepmother had recently purchased a new handgun that she kept in a safe under her bed. Thompson said he knew the code to the safe and got the gun, which he openly carried in a holster during a party at the home for several hours, according to a police booking affidavit.
At some point during the party, two women got into a fight and two men attempted to break it up. When Thompson heard his stepmother yell for people to get out of her house, he went into the garage area and shot one of the men trying to break up the fight, the affidavit states.
"Jeremiah admitted to pulling the gun out and pointing it toward a male and pulling the trigger one time, striking this individual in the chest area. Jeremiah said he was shooting in defense of himself and others," according to the affidavit.
But according to police, video recorded by witnesses shows the 23-year-old shooting victim was not attempting to hurt anyone.
"The video shows what appears to be several individuals attempting to break up the altercation between the two females. The victim is observed in the video attempting to stop the altercation. Jeremiah is observed displaying a handgun and shooting the victim," officers wrote in the arrest report.
Friends of the victim drove him to Riverton Hospital where a medical helicopter took him to Intermountain Medical Center, according to the affidavit. At last word, the man was stable after undergoing surgery.
