SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 8, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) -- Police in Salt Lake City arrested a man Saturday afternoon after he allegedly pulled a gun from his backpack and fired in the direction of someone with whom he had been arguing.
Five additional people were also in the approximate pathway of the bullet fired, says a charging document filed in the arrest of Hiram Bokatrik, 34. No one was injured.
Responding uniformed officers located Bokatrik in the area, and he fled on foot, the statement says.
Bokatrik "had jumped the fence, and hid between pallets and had also ditched the firearm and his hat before he went and hid between the pallets," the arrest document says.
Bokatrik had prior felony convictions, so is barred from possession of dangerous weapons.
The firearm had been stolen the night before in a separate case, the Salt Lake City Police statement says. Victims who said the suspect had shot at them confirmed he was the shooter. Bokatrik's clothing also matched a photo from the scene, with the addition of a hat.
Officers had seen Bokatrik throw an item while fleeing from police, the statement says. They checked the area, and found a pipe containing residue, which police recognized as drug paraphernalia.
A victim whose car was previously burglarized described the suspect as having a lot of long hair, and wearing black and white shoes, which matched Bokatrik's "unkempt" hair and his ink-customized footwear.
The burglary victim said that besides the firearm, items taken were a holster and $380 in cash: three $100 bills and four $20 bills. Bokatrik was found with $257 in cash, including two $100 bills, two $20s, and the rest in smaller bills.
"These bill denominations are consistent with the cash that was stolen after some of it being spent," the affidavit says. Officers also located the black in color nylon holster with green writing, which matched the owner's description of the holster taken.
Bokatrik was arrested for investigation of the following alleged crimes:
- Six counts of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony
- Two counts of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony
- Theft of a firearm or operable motor vehicle, a second-degree felony
- Prohibited dangerous weapon conduct, a third-degree felony
- Felony discharge of firearm, a third-degree felony
- Burglary of vehicle, a class A misdemeanor
- Failure to stop at command of law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor
If the case is prosecuted, charges and their severity will be determined by the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office.
