Update: Police ID man who allegedly punched child, fired gun before SWAT standoff

Richard Martin Lindem. Photo Courtesy: Salt Lake County

MILLCREEK, Utah, Oct. 14, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Police have identified a man  suspected of assaulting a child and firing a gun at the child’s father, which led to a tense SWAT standoff in Millcreek Sunday afternoon.

Unified Police Department officers and SWAT spent nearly six hours Sunday working to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution.

A probable cause statement from the 3rd District Court of Salt Lake County said Richard Martin Lindem, 61, is facing charges of:

  • Aggravated assault, a third-degree felony
  • Child abuse/neglect, a third-degree felony
  • Three charges of felony discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony
  • Reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor

The incident began at about 3:05 p.m. in the area of Gordon Lane and 4350 South, UPD Detective Kevin Mallory told Gephardt Daily.

The probable cause statement said officers responded to reports of several handgun rounds being fired in that neighborhood.

“Upon officers’ arrival, they were informed by the complainant that an unknown male approached his two sons,” the statement said. “The complainant explained that his sons were riding small motorcycles around their neighborhood when an unknown male approached his 6-year-old son and punched the son in the head.”

The complainant said he observed this happen and began running to the location in the middle of the road, the statement said.

“When the complainant arrived, the suspect drew a small black handgun from his waist and pointed it at the complainant who then retreated back towards his home,” the statement said. “As the complainant was retreating away from the suspect, the suspect fired three rounds at the complainant and his sons.”

No one was injured as a result of the firearm discharge.

“As officers began searching for the male, a witness informed she had the incident captured on her home surveillance system and offered it to the officers,” the statement said. “Investigators reviewed the surveillance which clearly shows the male approach the 6-year-old son and punch him in the head area. The son was observed wearing a riding helmet.”

The suspect then fled the scene and was seen walking eastbound on Gordon Lane.

Several witnesses were able to identify the suspect and informed investigators he was Richard Martin Lindem and they also told officers his address in Doreen Street which was around the corner from the scene.

“Officers were able to set a perimeter around the home and attempt to make contact with Richard,” the statement said. “The complainant was shown a photograph of Richard and positively identified Richard as the male who shot at him.”

SWAT was deployed and eventually made contact with Lindem, who had barricaded himself inside his home. Lindem was found to be heavily intoxicated.

Lindem was taken into custody at approximately 8:30 p.m. and later transported to the Salt Lake County Adult Detention Center, with his bail set at $21,980.

Gephardt Daily will continue to follow this story and will provide more details as they are made available.

3 COMMENTS

  1. He needs to be charged with attempted murder! How is his bail so low? Those kids and family are in danger now! Do a story and get coverage and help protect this family

  2. After seeing the video; It is obvious that Richard (61 years old) did NOT punch the boys in the head. Richard SLAPPED each of the boy’s protective helmets one time. Richard was apparently upset over the very LOUD motorbikes the father purchased for his children. This father has NO business buying motorbikes for a 5 and 9 year old. These motorbikes are designed for privately owned rural farmland. They are NOT to be used in residential neighborhoods. They are too loud and too dangerous. The motorbikes are NOT allowed, insured, or registered for use on city streets and therefore ILLEGAL. Using these motorbikes on a street is extremely dangerous since drivers can NOT see the small boys on their little motorbikes. Also, boys have a tendency to be daring and reckless and may drive across the path of an oncoming vehicle. It should be obvious to most who analyze this video that Child Protective Services should be called on the father who was dumb enough to buy these dangerous motorbikes for young children. This father should be brought up on criminal charges for allowing his children to ride LOUD annoying motorbikes on a city street. Also, as the father stated, he was going over to Richard, the 61 year old man, to punch him out and beat him up for slapping the helmet and disciplining his two kids. Richard, had NO other choice but to defend himself from a physical attack. Richard’s only mistake was discharging his weapon. This may have been done as warning shots, straight up into the air, and not at the father. Richard’s intent may have been to get the hostile father to back done and deescalate the situation.
    This is a common case where Richard should have been praised for saving the kids from harm, stopping kids from terrorizing the neighborhood with loud motorbikes, and teaching a careless and reckless Dad proper child rearing. But instead, the instigators (the father and young boys), walk away free while the annoyed caring neighbor gets in trouble. Worst of all, the media incorrectly reports the news story as Punches instead of a slap to the helmet and blows the story out of proportion.

Leave a Reply to Matthew hoster Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here