Estimated read time: 3-4 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
SALT LAKE CITY — A southern Utah man has been arrested in the shooting death of a Salt Lake woman outside a downtown nightclub over the weekend.
Dustin Pedersen, 37, of Kanab, surrendered Monday to the Kane County Sheriff's Office and was arrested for investigation of murder. He is accused of shooting and killing Nichole Olsen, 29, at about 2 a.m. Sunday near 300 S. West Temple.
Salt Lake police say Olsen was at a nightclub with her boyfriend when another group, which included Pedersen, got into an argument with the boyfriend. Employees working security at the club kicked Pedersen and his friend out, police said. Olsen and her boyfriend stayed at the nightclub until it closed.
After leaving the club, the couple went to an after-party in the area of 300 S. West Temple and drove to a parking lot in that area.
"When they parked in the parking lot, a dark-colored BMW coupe pulled directly in the stall in front of their vehicle," according to a police booking affidavit. The driver of the BMW, Pedersen, got out of the car and stated, "You are the people from the club!"
Olsen then approached the passenger side of the BMW "and was immediately pushed and struck in the face" by the passenger, the affidavit states. Police say Olsen's boyfriend then stepped in and got into a fight with the passenger.
A second woman who was in the car with Olsen and her boyfriend then got out to try and calm the situation down and noticed Pedersen "constantly reaching into his waistband and described him as lifting his shirt exposing his belt line," the affidavit states.
"The argument escalated and resulted in the suspect pulling out a gun and shooting the victim," police said.
The occupants of the BMW then got back in the car and drove off. A witness was able to record a cellphone video of the car and gave it to police. Detectives determined the vehicle was purchased from a dealership in Murray just a week ago and identified Pedersen as the buyer, the affidavit states.
But on Monday, before Salt Lake police made their next move, Pedersen turned himself in to deputies in Kane County.
"According to the Kane County Sheriff's Office, Pedersen told them he fired a single round from his gun to scare people off during the fight inside the parking lot," police said.
The gun suspected of being used in the shooting was retrieved from the trunk of Pedersen's car.
Salt Lake police transported Pedersen back to Salt Lake County where he was booked into jail.
A GoFundMe account* has been set up to help pay for a funeral service for Olsen.
*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
