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VERNAL -- Police said a family fight led to a shooting and two men being booked into jail on suspicion of aggravated assault.
Uintah County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Fletcher said it began July 16 when a woman showed up at Ashley Regional Medical Center with a gunshot wound to her hand. The deputy called to the scene was then called to the Jensen Visitor Center near Vernal.
Police said AJ McKenna Jr., 22, and his wife had gotten into an argument.
"As friends to the couple became involved, an altercation started between McKenna and Michael Thurston," Fletcher said in a statement. "The altercation occurred inside the trailer of McKenna and ended when Thurston choked McKenna until he passed out. After the men were separated, everyone except McKenna went outside the trailer."
Fletcher said McKenna got a shotgun and was threatening to harm himself when Thurston's sister walked into the trailer to attempt to take the gun from McKenna.
"During the struggle, McKenna pulled the trigger on the shotgun, shooting her in the hand," Fletcher said.
The woman was taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center and later transported to a Salt Lake City hospital.
McKenna was taken into custody and transported to jail for aggravated assault with a weapon and other alcohol related offenses.
Thurston, 28, was also arrested for aggravated assault and intoxication for his role in the altercation with McKenna.
E-mail: bwinslow@ksl.com
