RIVERTON, Utah, June 20, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Police say a knife-wielding man was shot by a Riverton resident late Monday night after confronting people inside the garage of their Winford Drive home.
A Unified Police spokesman told Gephardt Daily officers were called to the residence at 11638 Winford Drive at 11:07 p.m. with reports of shots fired.
When police arrived they found a wounded man and a homeowner who was holding a handgun.
Witnesses told police the man — identified as Derrick Palmer, 36 — was visiting neighbors prior to the shooting. They said Palmer appeared to be extremely intoxicated and had taken off his pants before walking across the street while brandishing a knife.
Palmer confronted two teens who were sitting in a car after returning home and followed them into their garage. A male resident — described by police as the father — came out of the home carrying a handgun and a struggle ensued.
After a brief scuffle, the father shot the knife-wielding Palmer who was ultimately taken to Intermountain Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He’s since been upgraded to serious condition.
Police say when they first arrived, Palmer — despite being gravely wounded moved toward the father’s gun. Police tasered Palmer who was then taken to the hospital.
Their investigation is continuing.
