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TOOELE — A 29-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police say he fired of 20 rounds from an assault rifle in a Tooele neighborhood and then was involved in an hourslong standoff with SWAT officers.
Tooele police officers were dispatched to 533 South Elk Meadow Loop at 12:50 p.m. on a report of lewdness, according to the police booking affidavit. Police said the woman who reported the incident said her son — identified as Marcus Joseph Martinez — had choked her and she was worried he would shoot at someone.
Two witnesses also reported to police that they were driving in front of the home when Martinez pointed an assault rifle directly at them while he was standing in the road, the affidavit says.
Tooele police said Martinez began discharging the assault rifle as officers arrived. SWAT officers responded and Martinez fired about 20 rounds over the officers' heads in the direction of homes in the area, the affidavit says.
No one was injured, Tooele Police Cpl. Colbey Bentley said, and Martinez was eventually taken into custody about 4 p.m.
"The way this turned out was the absolute best we could have hoped for. You know, our officers weren't hurt, the public wasn't hurt, the suspect wasn't hurt. This is the best-case scenario for us," Bentley said.
Police conducted a criminal history check on Martinez and discovered he is a convicted felon and should not be in possession of firearms.
Martinez was booked into the Tooele County jail for investigation of three counts of aggravated assault, illegal discharge of a firearm, felony discharge of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and reckless endangerment.
Contributing: Jed Boal
