- Dakota Lane Pierce, 23, was arrested in Midvale and accused of shooting at strangers.
- One person was injured in the abdomen; the victim is in fair condition.
- Police recovered a gun and shell casings; the motive for the shooting is unknown.
MIDVALE — A man was arrested overnight and accused of shooting at two strangers passing by him on the street, injuring one person in Midvale.
Dakota Lane Pierce, 23, was arrested for investigation of shooting a gun and causing serious injury.
The investigation began about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when officers from several agencies were helping Unified police look for a fleeing suspect in an unrelated case, said Unified Police Sgt. Aymee Race.
A Taylorsville police officer was driving back to his jurisdiction when he was flagged down by a man near 7200 S. State who said he had been shot. The officer stopped and verified that the man indeed had a gunshot wound, Race said.
"(He) stated he was shot in the abdomen by an unknown male in the area of 7140 S. State Street," according to a police booking affidavit.
The victim was taken to a local hospital in fair condition.
"Officers converged in the area, locating the shooting scene near 7140 S. State (at the) Enterprise (rental office). Officers canvassing the area located five spent shell casings and one live round of ammunition in the roadway on State Street. Officers obtained surveillance footage of a male, matching the description of Dakota Pierce," according to the affidavit.
As they were collecting evidence at the crime scene, Race said a man matching Pierce's description walked into the area. Officers detained Pierce and after questioning him, determined he was the gunman, she said. A gun was also recovered.
A witness told police that the victim and another person were riding bicycles on State Street when they saw Pierce and a young girl presumed to be his daughter walking on State Street, the affidavit states.
"As they passed Dakota, a vehicle stopped (to pick) the juvenile female and Dakota up for transport. Prior to Dakota entering the vehicle, he turned toward (the victim and the witness) making a statement, 'You guys having a good night?' Prior to (those two) responding, Dakota presented a firearm, discharging five rounds in the direction of (the victim and the witness), striking (the victim) in the abdomen," the affidavit alleges. "As they were fleeing the area, Dakota was observed firing rounds toward them and at the ground in their direction."
A motive for the shooting was still being investigated Friday.
