1 person hospitalized in Clearfield shooting, suspected shooter fired in self-defense
CLEARFIELD, Utah (KUTV) — One person was hospitalized with a gunshot wound in a Clearfield shooting in which police say the suspected shooter fired in self-defense.
According to Clearfield City police, dispatchers began receiving 911 calls at approximately 9:30 p.m. Wednesday about gun shots and screaming at the city's cemetery in the area of 1200 South and State Street. Callers also reported seeing a person lying in the street with what they assumed was a gunshot wound, police said.
The investigation is ongoing, but police believe the shooting was in self-defense after the victim was brandished with a firearm by the suspect, Dustin Acosta, 39, and a struggle ensued over control of the weapon.
Police issued an update on the incident Thursday afternoon. They discovered that both 39-year-old men lived in Layton together.
"The individual with the wound ended up getting back up, getting into a vehicle and then leaving the area," said Assistant Chief Devin Rogers with the Clearfield City Police Department.
"We aren't 100% sure who he left the area with," he added. "We (suspect) it was with the individual who shot him. We believe that individual made comments to him to get in the vehicle if he wanted to live."
Rogers said a 911 caller reported hearing someone possibly yell, "Get in the truck if you want to live."
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Acosta arrived at a hospital in Layton. He had sustained at least one gunshot wound, Rogers said, and was in critical condition as of Wednesday night.
Police spoke to witnesses at the scene who were able to provide a description of the truck, and an attempt-to-locate was issued for the area.
Approximately half an hour after the first 911 call, Rogers said officers with the Layton City Police Department spotted the truck on Antelope Drive and made a high-risk stop.
The victim of the incident was taken into custody without incident, according to police. It was unknown if the victim remained in custody as of Thursday evening.
Acosta was being treated at the hospital, and if he is released on medical clearance, he will be arrested and booked into the Davis County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and restricted person in possession of a dangerous weapon, according to police.