Utah motorist shot after water bottle was thrown and a beard was tugged, police say

WEST VALLEY CITY — One man was shot in the chest Friday night during an argument between two motorists that involved a water bottle and one man's beard.

Police say two pickup truck drivers were stopped at an intersection at 3500 South, just west of the I-215 overpass, just before 8 p.m. when police say one of the drivers, Kevin Steed, threw a water bottle at the other truck.

That driver then got out of his truck, walked up to the other driver's window, grabbed Steed's beard and attempted to assault him, according to a police booking affidavit.

In response, Steed pulled out a Springfield pistol and shot the victim on the left side of the man's chest, the affidavit states.

The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but police later said he was stable and was expected to survive. His name has not been released.

An officer noted in the arrest report that she "observed a chunk of (Steed's) beard missing where (he) said the victim grabbed him."

Steed, 33, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of felony discharge of a firearm.

The affidavit does not indicate what may have prompted the exchange at the intersection.

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