- Kit James Welch, 20, was arrested for investigation of attempted murder Tuesday.
- Welch allegedly shot his brother multiple times in their Cottonwood Heights home.
- Police said they found blood spatter and gun safes in their home.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — A Cottonwood Heights man was arrested Tuesday after police say he shot his brother at least five times in their home.
Kit James Welch, 20, was booked into the Davis County Jail for investigation of attempted murder and five counts of shooting a gun and causing serious injury. Police on Wednesday said Welch was not booked in Salt Lake County due to an undisclosed "conflict."
On Tuesday, Cottonwood Heights police were called to a home in the area of 2100 East and 6800 South on a report of a shooting. A man called 911 to report he had been shot by his brother who was still armed, according to a police booking affidavit. Witnesses told detectives they heard at least eight shots fired.
The victim was found "lying in the street outside the residence with multiple gunshot wounds," the affidavit states. Police estimated that he had been shot at least five times.
SWAT team members then responded and surrounded the home and ordered Welch to come out.
"(He) ultimately exited the residence and was taken into custody," the affidavit says.
Inside the house, police found "several spots of blood spatter" as well as "several gun safes throughout the house in various locations … as well as lockboxes for handguns," according to the arrest report.
The man who was shot was later "upgraded" to critical condition at a local hospital, police say. On Wednesday, police said the man was "stable."
When detectives were able to talk to the victim, he stated that when he came out of the bathroom, "(Welch) was holding the gun to the victim's face prior to discharging the firearm at him. The victim saw that (Welch) was wearing ear protection prior to the shooting," according to the affidavit.
Although Welch declined to speak to police, he made "multiple spontaneous utterances" after being taken into custody.
He claimed that "he had been arguing with his dad and brother about items accumulating at the residence and felt that he had no choice," the affidavit alleges. "(He) said that he would never intentionally harm somebody, but today he felt like it was the only option."
In requesting that Welch be held in custody without the possibility of posting bail pending trial, police noted that he "is in a volatile mental state and should be considered a danger to anyone" he encounters.
