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46-year-old Cedar City man faces felony charges after allegedly shooting another driver in driving aggression incident – ​​St George News

46-year-old

An investigator takes evidence photos at the scene of an alleged road rage shooting incident near the intersection of Fiddlers Canyon Road and Main Street, Cedar City, Utah, June 12, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Cedar City – Translation for “Cedar City” in German A Cedar City man accused of shooting another man in an alleged road rage incident Wednesday afternoon faces multiple serious crimes.

Police officers at the scene where a shooting suspect was arrested in a residential neighborhood in the Nichols Canyon area of ​​Cedar City, Utah, June 12, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News / Cedar City News

Jason Bryan Stolworthy, 46, was booked into the Iron County Jail Wednesday evening. He is charged with discharging a firearm with great bodily injury (a first-degree felony), aggravated assault (a second-degree felony), obstruction of justice (a second-degree felony), two counts of reckless endangerment (a class A misdemeanor) and reckless driving (a class B misdemeanor), according to a probable cause affidavit filed in 5th District Court.

The probable cause affidavit provides further details about the incident, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“It was reported that two males, one in a car and one on a motorcycle, were involved in an altercation in the area of ​​Main and Center Streets in Cedar City,” an investigating Cedar City Police officer wrote in the affidavit. “It was reported that they then drove away. It was further reported that the motorcycle aggressively followed the other vehicle.”

A witness reportedly observed the motorcycle weaving through traffic as it followed the car north on Main Street and pulled in front of it at one point.

The shooting incident reportedly occurred shortly after the two men stopped their vehicles on the south side of Fiddlers Canyon Road, east of Main Street and across from a convenience store.

“Officers were able to capture cell phone video that captured part of the altercation,” the detective wrote in the affidavit, adding, “It showed the driver of the vehicle approaching the driver of the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle can be seen pulling out a gun. Then several gunshots can be heard.”

A white Mercedes is surrounded by police line at the scene of an alleged driving rage incident near the intersection of Fiddlers Canyon Road and Main Street, Cedar City, Utah, June 12, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The motorist, who reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the upper chest, was initially taken to Cedar City Hospital and then flown by helicopter to St. George Regional Hospital for further treatment. Cedar City Police Lt. JR Robinson told Cedar City News Thursday morning that while the man is still in critical condition, he is expected to make a long but full recovery.

According to the affidavit, at least one of the bullets fired hit a passing car containing two people.

After the shooting, the motorcyclist got back on his motorcycle and sped away.

Shortly thereafter, according to the affidavit, officers found a man matching the description of the motorcyclist at a nearby residence, where he was attempting to load a motorcycle into the back of a truck.

“When the man saw the officer, he placed his hands on his head and walked toward him,” the affidavit states.

The suspect, later identified as Stolworthy, was subsequently taken into custody without further incident.

According to the affidavit, officers obtained a search warrant for Stolworthy’s home and vehicles and found several pieces of evidence, including a black handgun in the driveway, the gun’s magazine and a loose bullet in the garage.

Police officers investigate an alleged road rage shooting incident near the intersection of Fiddlers Canyon Road and Main Street, Cedar City, Utah, June 12, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“The bullet found was the same caliber as the cartridge cases found at the crime scene,” the affidavit states.

In the garage, officers also reportedly found a black motorcycle helmet, a green military-style backpack and a pair of black gloves – items that witnesses said matched those worn by the shooter.

Stolworthy is currently being held without bail in the Iron County Jail while he awaits his first court date.

“This crime involved the use of a firearm and resulted in serious bodily injury,” the investigator wrote in his affidavit, recommending that Stolworthy be held without bail.

“Stolworthy fled the scene,” the officer added. “He was caught attempting to load the suspect’s vehicle into another vehicle. He was also found near several firearms. If he were released now, I have reason to believe he would pose a danger to the community and/or flee the jurisdiction.”

A search of Utah court records shows Stolworthy has no criminal history, aside from a speeding ticket in Juab County in 2014, for which he paid $270. He was also charged with speeding in Iron County in 2021, but that violation was later dropped after he successfully completed a traffic safety course and paid a $155 fee.

This report is based on testimony from court documents and law enforcement officials 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 until a trial judge determines otherwise.

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