Price City Police Department Press Releas
On September 12, 2017 at 1547, Price City Officers were dispatched to Pioneer Park on a report of a “man with a gun” using it to threaten others. Officers quickly arrived on scene and Sgt. Kelly Maynes detained a person of interest. At this time, no firearm was located but information was learned that other persons of interest were in a vehicle driving by the park.
Det. Dave Wilkinson was able to stop the vehicle, and three passengers immediately fled, while the male juvenile driver and another passenger remained. The firearm in question, a fully loaded small semi-automatic handgun, was located in the vehicle. The other individuals who fled were also located.
It was allegedly learned that the male juvenile had taken his parent’s handgun without knowledge or permission, and had been showing it off to friends at the park. The first male contacted allegedly acknowledged at one point he had possession of the firearm in the park, but claims he never threatened anyone. He did advise he saw someone nearby with whom he’d had a previous conflict and suspects that person of being the one who called dispatch.
Price City Information Technology personnel were able to provide security video that backs up the story that this male never threatened anyone with the handgun.
In the meantime, Utah State University Eastern had issued a campus wide alert to faculty, staff, and students that there was possibly a man with a gun near the campus.
Ultimately, for this case, the initial adult male contacted was issued a citation for Disorderly Conduct (for creating a public alarm), and released. The male juvenile will be referred to Juvenile Court for Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Minor, and for Disorderly Conduct, and was released to his parent. The one male who remained in the vehicle was determined not to have any involvement and was released. The adult male and adult female who bailed from the vehicle and fled were arrested and booked into jail for Failure to Stop at the Command of a Police Officer, and the juvenile female who also fled will be referred to Juvenile Court for the same offense.
Names of those adults involved are not being released at this time because of ongoing investigations related to other cases.
The Price City Police Department would like to remind all citizens and particularly parents, to properly secure firearms, and to use caution when possessing and handling weapons in a safe and legal manner.