HERRIMAN — An 18-year-old man who claims he was "horseplaying" was arrested over the weekend after police say he shot and killed another man.
Alexander Okustino Finau was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Friday for investigation of manslaughter.
Herriman police were called to the area of 13700 South and 6700 West on a report that a 22-year-old man had been shot.
"While en route, multiple 911 calls were received from individuals at the scene, including the victim's mother, the suspect (Finau) and (Finau's) younger brother," according to a police booking affidavit. "During the call with dispatch, Finau stated that the shooting was accidental and that he did not know what to do."
When emergency crews arrived at the home, they found Bridjer Ehlers had been shot in the chest. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but Ehlers was pronounced dead at the scene, the affidavit states.
When police talked to Finau, he "spontaneously stated multiple times that the shooting was accidental. Through subsequent witness interviews, investigators learned there was no physical altercation, but some level of horseplay was occurring," according to the arrest report.
Finau, according to witnesses, was "walking down a hallway pointing two handguns — one in each hand — at the victim, who was retreating, walking backward with his hands raised. Moments later, witnesses heard a gunshot," the affidavit alleges.
Police say one of the guns Finau was holding was his and the other belonged to Ehlers. Finau was visiting Ehlers at his home when the shooting occurred.
"The Herriman Police Department believes this incident to be inappropriate handling of a firearm. All who own and handle weapons are advised to use caution and care," the department stated Monday.
