Man dies after shooting in West Valley; police make arrest

WEST VALLEY CITY — One man was killed and another arrested following a shooting inside a home here on Wednesday.

Paul Ross Butterfield, 26, was pronounced dead on Wednesday afternoon at a local hospital.

Jonathan Fithian, 28, was taken into custody shortly after the incident and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder, aggravated robbery, possession of a gun by a restricted person and obstruction of justice.

Little information was released Wednesday about a possible motive for the crime. West Valley Police Sgt. Mike Powell said the two men were acquaintances. The two were having a "dialogue" prior to the shooting, he said.

Police were called about 8:30 a.m. to 6360 W. King Valley Drive (3995 South). Emergency responders initially called for a medical helicopter to transport Butterfield, then canceled the chopper and transported the man by ambulance to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.

Powell said the man was taken to the hospital in "life-threatening" condition. He was pronounced dead about noon.

Investigators set up a containment around the area and located Fithian hiding behind a fire station about three blocks from where the shooting occurred, near 4200 South and 6400 West. He was arrested without incident, Powell said.

Powell said there were three to four people inside the house at the time of the shooting. All of them were interviewed by detectives on Wednesday.

Nearby residents said the house has long been a trouble spot in the neighborhood. Several neighbors who did not want to be identified said the occupants kept to themselves, yet they said they have witnessed short-term traffic in front of the house on a regular basis.

Neighbors were even unsure who lives in the house, noting that several people had moved in and out since the last owner.

Others reported hearing arguing coming from the house in the past.

Fithian has a lengthy criminal history, according to Utah State Court records. He had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the shooting for charges of impersonating someone else's identity and possession of burglary tools in October.

He was sentenced to 270 days in jail in 2009 for a conviction on drug possession and was placed on probation.

In 2007, he was found guilty of drug possession, having a false ID and vehicle burglary.

Also in 2007, Fithian was convicted of felony unlawful acquisition/possession of a credit card. The court sentenced him to one year in jail, but Fithian said he preferred being sent to prison instead and was sentenced to up to five years at the Utah State Prison.

In 2002, he pleaded guilty to two amended charges of attempted aggravated assault and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

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