A 34-year-old motorcyclist has been arrested after authorities say he shot and wounded an 18-year-old woman in a car earlier this month while both were traveling on Interstate 15.
The shooting unfolded at about 2:10 p.m. on June 5, near the Layton Hills Mall in Davis County. According to a probable cause statement, the motorcyclist was seen brandishing a handgun as he chased after a car northbound on the highway. The man then fired about four times at the car before speeding off, according to a witness, who provided Clearfield police with dash camera video of the shooting.
The driver of the car, an 18-year-old woman, was shot twice in the face. She was taken to McKay-Dee Hospital, where she underwent surgery. The victim suffered “permanent damage and disfigurement to her teeth and lips,” according to police.
Clearfield police did not state in court filings what the motive for the shooting may have been, but at the time of the event, Utah Highway Patrol said it was believed to be road rage.
Shortly after the shooting, the motorcyclist was seen on multiple surveillance cameras “traveling in a calm and normal driving manner” in Clearfield, Clinton and Roy, according to the probable cause statement.
Cameras at Emma Russell Park at 4300 W. 5700 South in Roy showed him and his passenger entering the park about 15 minutes after the shooting, where both got off the motorcycle.
Minutes later, the suspect drove off alone, and the passenger was picked up by a red pickup truck.
Police identified the motorcycle as a Harley-Davidson Street Glide, and a search of registered vehicles of that type turned up a married couple who live near the park and own both that make and model of motorcycle and a red pickup truck.
According to the probable cause statement, the residents of that home matched the descriptions of the two people on the motorcycle when the shooting occurred. After obtaining a warrant, police searched the home and found a gun “matching the appearance and capability of firing rounds similar to those recovered” at the scene of the shooting, along with a motorcycle, clothing, helmet, vest and ammunition that “match the descriptions and videos of the shooting.”
The man arrested “has affiliations to a known local motorcycle gang,” according to police.
He was booked into Davis County jail, where he is being held without bail on suspicion of attempted murder, felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice.
The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name defendants unless they have been charged with a crime.