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MAGNA — A 35-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday after police say he accidentally shot his friend in the groin with an AK-47.
Jason Wayne Angell, of Magna, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault resulting in serious injury, illegal discharge of a firearm causing injury, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child and providing alcohol to a minor.
A 19-year-old man had been at Angell's residence Tuesday night to "hang out" and the two "began to drink alcohol and smoke weed," a police booking affidavit states. "Jason then informed (the victim) that he wanted to show him his new gun."
Angell pulled out an AK-47. The victim told police that "he told Jason multiple times to make sure the gun was clear, but Jason did not listen. (He) said Jason then loaded the gun, but that he did not appear to know how to use the gun. Jason manipulated the gun, in a manner that (the victim) was not able to describe, pointed the gun at (the victim) and shot him," the affidavit states.
Angell later told investigators that "the gun just went off. He said he saw (the victim) with his arms and leg in the air and he was saying, 'You just shot me,'" according to the affidavit.
Doctors say the shot went through the victim's groin and into the man's thigh.
When questioned by detectives, Angell allegedly said "he always sleeps with his AK-47 in his bed in a case and that it makes him feel safer," according to the affidavit.
Two children were also present in the home at the time of the shooting.
