Iron County man shot, another arrested after argument in Beryl Junction

Photo shows a closeup image of an Iron County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle, Cedar City, Utah, May 14, 2022 | File photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

IRON COUNTY — Shots were fired in the midst of an argument between two men in Beryl Junction, sending one to the hospital Saturday night.

At approximately 7:48 p.m., the Iron County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of shots fired at 3400 W. 4000 North, according to a probable cause statement filed with the Fifth District Court. While en route to the location, approximately 36 miles west of Cedar City, deputies learned that one of the men had sustained gunshot wounds.

Two men were arguing when one of them, later identified as Cody Hatch, fired a handgun four times, hitting the other twice, ICSO Lt. Jeff Humphries told Cedar City News. Hatch himself reported the shooting, telling law enforcement he was acting in self-defense and that “he was being attacked.”

Hatch reportedly advised deputies that the handgun used and another rifle were on the premises once they arrived. Officers secured the handgun before checking the man’s criminal history.

Hatch was previously convicted of domestic violence in the presence of a child and is restricted from owning a firearm, according to the probable cause statement.

Officers were granted a search warrant for the home, where they located the rifle, multiple boxes of bullets and multiple pipes “consistent” with marijuana use, the document states. Hatch was arrested and transported to the Iron County Correctional Facility.

File photo taken 10 miles west of Beryl Junction, Utah, on Dec. 29, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Sandy Seeley, St. George News

Hatch is facing two felony charges of possessing a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and one misdemeanor charge of use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

The injured man was transported to the hospital via AirLife flight where he is still receiving medical care. Investigators plan to interview him before concluding the investigation or filing additional charges, as there were no other witnesses to the incident, Humphries said.

Gold Cross Ambulance also responded to the call.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to St. George News for updates as more information is released.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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