SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 8, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Court documents filed in Salt Lake County Third District Court name the suspected gunman accused of killing a 50-year-old driver during an early Monday morning road rage incident on State Route 201.
A probable cause statement included in the documents identifies the alleged shooter as Thomas Jim Long, 44.
According to the PC statement, Long opened fire on the victim after a “road rage altercation” which started on I-215 West at the 900 West off-ramp, and ended a short while later, after both vehicles collided with a concrete barrier near 1000 West on eastbound SR 201.
After the collision, Long allegedly “fired multiple shots,” fatally wounding the victim, who died at the scene.
A review of a “citizen’s” dashcam video obtained by investigators, allegedly shows “the vehicle operated by Thomas Long was initially cut off by the victim.
“Following this, Thomas Long engaged in aggressive driving behaviors, including brake checking and cutting off the victim. The footage also shows Thomas Long changing lanes without signaling, and swerving in front of the victim. Subsequently, the victim collided with Long’s vehicle multiple times,” the probable cause statement says.
As the incident continued to unfold, the “victim activated his turn signal, appearing to prepare for an exit, but then swerved back into the suspect’s vehicle, resulting in another collision.
“In response, Long maneuvered in front of the victim’s vehicle, forcing both vehicles into a concrete barrier. Shortly thereafter, Long fired multiple shots at the victim, resulting in 15 shell casings being recovered at the scene,” according to a DPS officer’s affidavit contained in the PC statement.
After the shooting, Long remained on the scene, allegedly telling investigators “he was not just the shooter, but he was protecting himself,” and the victim, whose name has yet to be released, “pulled something from his waistband, and he (Long) reacted and shot him.”
Long is being held at the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is facing possible charges, including:
- Murder, a first-degree felony
- Aggravated assault, road rage, a third-degree felony
- Reckless driving, road rage, a class B misdemeanor
