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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
PLEASANT GROVE — Criminal charges have been filed against a Pleasant Grove man who police say shot his father three times — including in the face — in an attempt to kill him.
John Christian Barlow, 25, was charged Thursday in 4th District Court with attempted murder and three counts of shooting a gun causing serious injury, first-degree felonies.
On Jan. 28, Barlow shot his father three times in their home in the 4600 North block of Canyon Road, charging documents state.
"The first bullet hit the victim in the face, entering his nose and breaking the orbital socket, missing the eyeball by approximately 1 millimeter. The victim dove for cover and tried to get under a table. As the victim attempted to get away from the defendant, the defendant fired two more shots, one bullet entering his right hip and the other grazed his right side, above his hip and near his ribs," the charges state.
The father was transported to a local hospital where doctors determined that two bullets were still in his body, police say.
After the shooting, Barlow attempted to run out the front door but was stopped and detained by his brother who also took the gun away, according to a police booking affidavit. The brother also told police that he "overheard Christian praying to his god, Sheva," and making claims about molesting relatives, the affidavit alleges.
When questioned by police, Barlow told officers, "I shot my dad," and that "he was trying to 'bring order' and that his dad was a 'terrorist,'" the affidavit states. "When I asked Christian if he was trying to kill (his father) he said, 'Yes.' When I asked him what made him stop shooting at three rounds, Christian said he 'didn't want to waste bullets.'"
Pleasant Grove police on Thursday said fortunately a very small caliber firearm was used and the father has since been released from the hospital and is not expected to have any permanent injuries.
Barlow was also arrested on Jan. 28 for investigation of sexual abuse of a child, but formal charges filed Thursday did not include sex abuse.
