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MAGNA -- A man is jailed on aggravated assault charges after a weekend argument over a gas pump at a convenience store.
Salt Lake County sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson said 41-year-old John Thomas Keith got into an argument with another customer at the Tesoro on 8140 W. 3500 South in Magna late Saturday morning. The argument was over a spot at a gas pump.
Hutson said, "That argument continued into the store."
As the victim tried to leave, the suspect brought out a concealed handgun.
According to Hutson, "[John Keith] held it to his head and called him some names and told him that he needed to be quiet or else he was going to be dead."
Hutson said the suspect then put away his gun, and both of them left the store.
Later in the day the suspect returned to the store and asked clerks about what they had witnessed. Deputies were able to locate Keith at his home later that day.
"He admitted to having the gun and getting into the altercation," Hutson said. "But he said he had a period of blackout and wasn't sure if he pointed the gun to the head of the victim."
Keith was booked into jail on an aggravated assault charge. Hutson wasn't sure if Keith had a concealed carry permit, but he said there was no indication he was illegally possessing the weapon.
Hutson said the crime went beyond a brandishing because of the threat. "And the fact that it happened at this very public place," he said, "You had some employees and some other customers in the store."
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Story compiled with contributions from Marc Giauque and Jennifer Stagg.
