ST. GEORGE —One man was arrested after allegedly discharging a firearm five times at a homeless camp near Sunset Boulevard on Saturday night.
According to the probable cause statement filed in court, dispatch received multiple calls regarding gunshots in the area of Westridge Dr. and Sunset Boulevard at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Witnesses stated that two people were fighting near the Arctic Circle restaurant.
St. George Police Department officers responded and observed a male walking eastbound by Taco Bell. Officers detained the man who informed them he had been in an argument with another man, described as having longer hair, and was shot at multiple times.
“They started walking away from the campsite and down onto the road when the male then shot at him four times as he was crossing the road to America First Credit Union,” the arresting officer stated in court records. “(The man) then picked up a rock and threw it at the male. The male then fired another shot near the intersection of Westridge and Sunset.”
Officers located a female witness who stated two intoxicated males had been fighting at her campsite. When they walked into the street, she said she didn’t follow but soon heard gunshots.
Officers learned of another woman at Sunset Bowl that appeared to have a laceration wound on her right arm. After being treated by emergency personnel, she was transported to the hospital.
Five spent shell casings were found on the roadway between Westridge and Sunset. An abandoned backpack was found by the bowling alley containing a wallet and identification for David Christensen.
After locating Christensen, police detained him for questioning regarding the incident.
After being interviewed, David Christensen was arrested for five counts of felony discharge a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm by a restricted person. He was transported to the Purgatory Correctional Facility by the St. George Police Department.
In reviewing Christensen’s criminal history, he was found to be restricted from owning a firearm based on prior criminal convictions.
St. George Police , Washington City Police Department and Gold Cross Ambulance assisted during the incident.
Editors note: This story was edited to clarify the injury to the female listed in the incident was reported as a laceration and not a gunshot wound.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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