From Deseret News archives:
Draper police are still probing fatal shooting
As police continue to go through the evidence, court records show that this was not the first time the man had attempted to break into the home. In fact, earlier in the day Friday, charges of burglary, assault and a violation of a protective order were filed against Richard Don O'Meara, 54, in connection with a similar situation back on Dec. 20.
"A warrant was ordered on Friday for a couple of charges, and there has been a history of domestic violence at the house," Draper Police Sgt. Chad Carpenter said.
At about 10:30 p.m., police were called to the home near 500 East and 13800 South on a domestic dispute and burglary. Upon arriving, police found O'Meara's body outside the home.
James Christopher Gikiu, 48, was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Jail in connection with the incident.
According to the probable cause statement, Gikiu and a woman were lying on a couch in the home when O'Meara came to the back door and hit the door with his shoulder. The statement says that Gikiu then grabbed a shotgun while the woman called 911.
O'Meara then hit a window so hard that they thought he was going to break in, and Gikiu saw the curtain move forward, the statement said. Gikiu thought O'Meara was coming through the window, so he fired a shot, and the noise stopped, according to the statement.
Carpenter said that whether or not the shooting was in self-defense was still being investigated Monday.
E-mail: ethomas@desnews.com
