Shooting over water balloons lands South Salt Lake man in more hot water

A water balloon toss that led to a shooting has landed a South Salt Lake man in more hot water with authorities.

Attempted homicide charges were filed Monday against Samuel Paul Krokaugger, 18, in 3rd District Court in relation to the shooting of a 19-year-old woman who had been throwing water balloons at guests of a house party near 2300 South and 900 East on May 18.

Krokaugger previously was charged with fatally shooting Luis A. Trujillo, 17, on June 24 while driving on I-15 near 2100 South. Krokaugger also is charged with the June 29 shooting death of Aaron Wheelwright, 20, near the Mountain Meadows apartment complex near 3800 South and 700 West.

In the May incident, court documents said, the woman and a friend were throwing water balloons from a vehicle.

As they drove away from the home, their car was followed by a red Ford Thunderbird, which was driven by a man who had been at the party. When the cars stopped at the intersection of 2450 South and 700 East, the man in the red car opened fire on the occupants of the other car, according to the documents.

Kasey Ketron was shot in the head and wounded, but survived the attack.

Salt Lake City Police allege Krokaugger was the shooter in the water balloon incident based on witness statements and evidence obtained while serving a search warrant on Krokaugger's car.

Following the shooting, Krokaugger drove back to the house party and told guests to tell police he had never been there, according to the documents.

Krokaugger is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $1 million bond.

Krokaugger's new charges include four counts of attempted criminal homicide, all first-degree felonies, a second-degree felony count of possession or use of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and a second-degree felony count of obstructing justice.

If convicted on the new charges, Krokaugger could face life in prison. If convicted of the other crimes with which he has been charged, he will be eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors have said.

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