Woman shot after 'series of bizarre events' at mobile-home park

VERNAL — Authorities have arrested two men for investigation of aggravated assault following "a series of bizarre events" at a Jensen mobile-home park that left a woman with a shotgun wound to the hand.

Uintah County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Fletcher said the July 16 incident began as a domestic dispute between a 22-year-old man, Albert "A.J." McKenna, and his wife at their trailer home. As the couple's friends got involved, an altercation ensued between Albert McKenna and aMichael Thurston, 28.

Fletcher said the fight occurred inside McKenna's trailer and ended with Thurston choking McKenna until he was unconscious.

After the men were separated, everyone except McKenna went outside the trailer, Fletcher said. McKenna then obtained a shotgun from his trailer and was allegedly going to commit suicide.

Investigators say that's when Thurston's sister intervened and attempted to wrestle the gun away from McKenna. During the struggle, the man pulled the trigger on the shotgun, hitting the woman in the hand, Fletcher said.

The woman was taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center, where hospital staff notified law enforcement about the shooting. She was later flown by medical helicopter to a Salt Lake hospital for additional treatment.

The two men involved in the fight were arrested and booked into the Uintah County Jail.

Fletcher said McKenna is being held for investigation of aggravated assault and an alcohol-related offense. Thurston is also being held for investigation of aggravated assault and intoxication for his role in the altercation.

— Geoff Liesik