SOUTH SALT LAKE, UTAH – October 19, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – A man has been hospitalized after attempting an armed robbery and accidentally shooting himself in the pelvis.
South Salt Lake Police spokesman Sgt. Gary Keller said officers were dispatched to the InTown Suites, 48 West 3300 South, on reports of a self-inflicted gunshot Sunday at approximately 7:17 p.m.
When officers got there, they found a man had been shot in the pelvis. The 24-year-old victim would not tell officers his name or give any details about how he was shot. He was transported to hospital in critical condition. Witnesses at the scene pointed out a second male who was a friend to the gunshot victim.
The victim’s friend told officers he did not know anything about a gun or what happened. The victim’s friend was standing by some bushes and leaned over behind a truck and casually walked away. An officer located a semi-automatic pistol behind the truck.
The victim’s friend, Preston Bryant Bennett, 34, of West Valley City was taken into custody. Bennett was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and charged with transaction of a firearm by restricted person, a third degree felony, tampering with evidence, a third degree felony, and obstruction of justice, a class B misdemeanor.
As the details of the incident unfolded, police learned that the gunshot victim entered the Sinclair Convenience Store at 16 West 3300 South while his friend Bennett waited outside.
The victim purchased cupcakes and a drink. He then told the clerk he forgot something, left the purchased items on the counter and walked to the back of the store. The clerk started to help the next customer in line when he heard a gunshot and the victim ran out of the store.
The victim’s name has not been released pending possible charges; he remains in the hospital in critical condition. A handgun was recovered and been placed in evidence. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office will be screening the case.
