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SOUTH WEBER, Davis County — A South Weber man is in custody after he fired shots early Wednesday morning and then barricaded himself in a house for nearly 10 hours. The man surrendered peacefully around 2 p.m. after negotiating with police. His mother and grandmother say they have been trying to get him help for his mental health.
It all started around 4 a.m. when 30-year-old Braxton Morgan fired several shots from a house on the property of the Morgan Trout Farm, located at 8486 U.S. 89.
Before police arrived, two women were able to leave the home uninjured.
Within minutes, dozens of police were arriving from several nearby agencies, including the Davis County Sheriff's Office.
"At this time, I am unsure of how many shots were fired. That, of course, will be part of the follow-up investigation that takes place," said Stephanie Dinsmore, a spokeswoman with the Davis County Sheriff's Office.
Several people called the police when they heard the shots between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
"That an individual potentially committed a domestic violence act," Dinsmore said. "Two individuals, also in the home, were also able to get out and call for help."
Over the next several hours, police say Morgan refused to exit the home and fired multiple rounds in the area, threatening surrounding residences and responding law enforcement. People were asked to avoid the area and a reverse-911 call was put in place for homeowners nearby.
U.S. 89 southbound lanes at South Weber Drive and U.S. 89 northbound lanes at Antelope Drive were shut down for five hours due to the proximity of the residence to the highway
The man's mother and grandmother, who also live at that house, said that he was having a mental health breakdown. They say he threatened them, so they called the police.
The women said they tried three times in the last three months, unsuccessfully, to get him committed to some type of mental health care. As recently as Monday night, they said police were in the home, and the mother and grandmother warned police that he might cause trouble.
Police confirm they previously knew the suspect but could not provide any other information.
"Fortunately, no officers or civilians were injured in those weapons were fired," Dinsmore said.
Police fired several flash-bang rounds as a negotiating tactic between noon and 2 p.m., which is about when the man walked out of the house.
It was nearly 10 hours before the man surrendered.
"He walked down a path a little ways and surrendered peacefully, laid on the ground," Dinsmore said.
Police also said they were thankful that motorists were patient with their road closures.
