Victim in club shooting identified; deputy isn't

While the man shot by an off-duty lawman in a melee at a downtown Salt Lake bar early Saturday remained hospitalized in critical condition Sunday, few details surrounding the event have been made public.

What is known is that a Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy fired one shot that hit 26-year-old John "Junior" Pikula in the torso after a fight broke out about 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the Green Street Social Club in the Trolley Square complex. Salt Lake police reported Saturday that the fight involved 10 to 15 people.

The deputy who fired the shot, who was off-duty and a patron at the bar Saturday, has not been identified, but Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson said Sunday he is a veteran of the department with over 10 years on the force.

Hutson said that while Salt Lake City is heading the investigation into the shooting, concurrent investigations have been launched by the sheriff's department and Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office. Hutson noted that while all three efforts are under way, the criminal matter is the most critical.

"As in any case of an officer involved, the criminal investigation takes precedence," Hutson said. "Protocols are in place … administrative matters are of secondary nature."

Hutson said that most, if not all, law enforcement officers in Utah, including sheriff's deputies, are required to "have their weapons available at all times." This coincides, Hutson said, with the mandate that deputies are "always on-duty law enforcement officers, if the need arises."

Salt Lake police had no statement Sunday evening as to what, if any, circumstances caused that need to arise at Green Street Saturday morning.

Pikula is currently on parole after serving time in the Utah State Prison system for aggravated robbery, kidnapping and assault. He is expected to recover from his injuries.

The deputy who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, as is required by department policy, Hutson said.

e-mail: araymond@desnews.com