Salt Lake man arrested and accused of fatally shooting roommate through closed door

SALT LAKE CITY — A 47-year-old Salt Lake City man was arrested Tuesday afternoon and accused of fatally shooting his roommate through a closed door.

James Stacey Riedman was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder and obstruction of justice.

Just after 1 p.m., Kade Tuttle, 24, called police to report that his roommate, Riedman, "had locked him out of their apartment and was refusing to let him inside," according to a police booking affidavit.

Police responded to the apartment at 768 N. Redwood Road and found Tuttle "on the ground outside of the apartment door. Officers checked (Tuttle's) welfare and determined that he was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound, the affidavit states.

Officers then discovered Riedman was barricaded inside the apartment, leading to an hours-long standoff before he eventually surrendered.

When questioned, Riedman said he began renting a room in the apartment to Tuttle a few weeks ago, according to the affidavit.

"Riedman stated there have been several incidents with (Tuttle), in which Riedman believed (Tuttle) was disrespecting him. Riedman stated that today he decided to lock ((Tuttle) out because he felt he was being taken advantage of and had safety concerns over (Tuttle's) behavior," the affidavit states.

When Tuttle returned to the apartment and tried to get in, Riedman wouldn't answer the door, according to the affidavit. Riedman claimed he "became scared for his safety" when Tuttle allegedly yelled that he was going to kick the door down, according to the affidavit.

"Riedman said he was afraid that (Tuttle) was going to come in and harm him, or possibly recruit others to come harm him. Riedman retrieved a firearm, pointed it at the door and pulled the trigger, firing one round through the door to the outside, where (Tuttle) had been knocking," the affidavit states.

Riedman claimed he intended to scare Tuttle But he "admitted to hearing a gasp outside the door after the shot was fired, but did not open the door to check if anyone was injured. Riedman did not call police or emergency services and stated that he (hid) the firearm in his bedroom and also picked up and (hid) the spent cartridge casing," according to the affidavit.

Investigators note that Riedman was not able to articulate "any reasonable facts as to why he believed he was in imminent danger."

Correction: James Stacey Riedman is 47. An earlier version incorrectly stated he was 27.

Related topics