Police investigate whether Kearns shooting of 3 was in self-defense

KEARNS — Three people were shot and one man was arrested following an argument at a Kearns home Wednesday.

But investigators say the shooting may have been in self-defense.

About 12:50 p.m., Unified police received a call of a possible shooting with multiple victims at 4743 W. Hoffman (5350 South). Officers arrived at the scene and found two victims — a man and a woman with gunshot wounds — and the alleged gunman, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.

Clinton Johnson, 32, was waiting for officers to arrive and surrendered without incident, he said.

The shooting happened after five people went to Johnson's house to evict him. They confronted Johnson in a shed behind the house and began beating him up and hitting his head with a brick, Hoyal said. In fear of his safety, police say Johnson fired several shots at the individuals, striking three of the five people.

At least two of the victims went into the main house after the shooting.

A 26-year-old woman who was pregnant was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition, Hoyal said. A 21-year-old man was taken to IMC in serious condition.

Later, investigators learned of a third victim, a 24-year-old man, who showed up at Pioneer Valley Hospital on his own. He was last listed in critical condition, according to police. The victims' names have not been released.

Melissa Ortega's son was the 21-year-old man who was shot. She said she and her son took Johnson and another person into their home a few months ago to help them.

"It went sour, and we've been trying to get them out," she said. "I felt really, really uncomfortable with them being in my house. I wanted him out of my house," Ortega said.

Johnson was taken into custody for questioning and later placed under arrest. He was not immediately booked into jail, however, because "it appears there may be culpability among several individuals," Hoyal said.

Johnson's criminal history also included a misdemeanor conviction for possession of a dangerous weapon in 2006 in Kane County, with two pleas in abeyance for drug possession and "driving with measurable controlled substance" charges.

Investigators continued Wednesday to look for other people believed to be on the property when the shooting occurred.

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