CLEARFIELD, Utah, June 20, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 34-year-old West Point man was charged Thursday with first-degree felony murder for his alleged role in a June 2 road rage shooting that killed a 63-year-old man.
James Saccato, of West Point, was shot and killed during an altercation with another driver that Clearfield police say stemmed from a hit-and-run crash near state Route 193 and Industrial Parkway.
Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call about 6:25 p.m. from Justin Kent Doman, who reported he had been involved in a crash with a Chevy Silverado and was following the other driver because he didn’t stop, police said.
Doman told police he had been cut off by Saccato while both merged onto SR-193 from State Street, according to charges filed in Farmington’s 2nd District Court.
“[Doman] stated he was upset about being cut off, which resulted [in him] flipping off [Saccato], as well as honking his horn,” arrest documents say.
Doman told police he continued to follow Saccato, who “brake checked him at least three different times,” ultimately resulting in Doman’s Ford Ranger hitting the back of the Silverado, a police affidavit says.
“[Saccato] did not stop his vehicle despite [Doman] rear ending [the Silverado],” the police statement continues, noting Doman reported the two trucks were traveling about 70 mph on SR-193 during the incident.
Doman told police he continued to follow Saccato until the Silverado made a U-turn on Main Street, court documents say.
“[Doman] used his vehicle to block off the road in an attempt to get [Saccato] to stop his vehicle,” resulting in a second collision between the two vehicles, the affidavit says.
Saccato again drove away from the crash, and Doman continued to follow him until the Silverado stopped in the middle of the road near 300 North and 1200 West, according to police.
Doman told police he stopped his Ford Ranger behind the Silverado, and Saccato got out of his truck, the affidavit says.
“[Doman] stated when [Saccato] exited the vehicle, he faced [him] and made a motion as if he was brandishing a firearm from [his] waistband and pointing towards [Doman],” arrest documents say.
“When [Doman] observed this, he stated he unholstered his weapon, but kept it low so it was still out of sight from [Saccato],” the statement continues, noting that Doman remained in his truck.
Doman told police he realized Saccato was unarmed as he got closer to the Ford Ranger, the affidavit says.
“Once [Saccato] got closer to [Doman] and his vehicle, [Doman] stated he raised his handgun from the low ready position and pointed his muzzle at [Saccato],” arrest documents say.
Doman told police Saccato “made contact” with him at the driver’s side window, reached into the truck and tried to grab the firearm, the affidavit says.
“[Doman] stated his firearm was in his right hand, while he was using his left arm to shield [Saccato] away from him,” arrest documents say.
“When [Doman] realized [Saccato] was attempting to grab the gun, [Doman] stated he discharged one round towards [Saccato’s] center mass, which resulted in [the man] falling to the ground,” the police statement continues.
Doman told police he then exited his truck, holstered his weapon and got a first-aid kit from his truck to provide aid to Saccato, arrest documents say.
“Shortly after [Doman] retrieved his first-aid kit, the police arrived on scene and placed him in custody,” the affidavit says.
Police and emergency responders performed life-saving measures, but Saccato was pronounced dead at the scene.
Doman was booked in the Davis County Jail on Thursday.
