WATCH: Idaho Falls man allegedly threatening teens with handgun at McCowin Park
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AMMON — A 37-year-old man has been charged after a group of teens reported he pulled a gun, racked a round, and aimed it at them at McCowin Park in Ammon on Monday night.
Shane Michael Sutton of Idaho Falls has been charged with three counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Each count carries a potential punishment of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $5,000.
On Monday night, around 11 p.m., deputies from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man pointing a firearm at a group of people near 3000 East Southwick Lane near McCowin Park, court documents state.
Deputies were approached by a group of juveniles who told them that an unknown man had confronted the group about fireworks. The group told deputies that the man, later identified as Sutton, had yelled “I will ******* kill you,” before proceeding to pull a firearm from his waistband. Documents allege Sutton “cocked” the firearm and pointed it at the group.
In video obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, provided by one of the victims, Yaser Elabed, when Sutton pulled the firearm out of it’s holster, an audible click is heard once he pulls the slide of the gun back.
Sutton was not present at the scene when deputies arrived, but other deputies located and stopped him based on his description, according to court documents.
Witnesses at the scene allegedly showed deputies a video of the incident. Deputies observed Sutton in an argument with the group, yelling, “You won’t do ****, I will ******* kill you.” The video reportedly confirmed the claims that Sutton had brandished a firearm at the juveniles.
EastIdahoNews.com spoke with Elabed, who reported the incident began when Sutton accused the juveniles of lighting off a firework that hit Sutton’s “old lady.”
Elabed explained that Sutton “came in hot,” and when the juveniles tried to defuse the situation, Sutton allegedly pushed them before brandishing his handgun.
“I was afraid,” Elabed said. “He was ready to like shoot at us.”
According to Idaho’s Crime Repository, Sutton has not yet hired or been appointed an attorney.
Sutton is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. on July 28 before Magistrate Judge Wiley Dennert.
Although Sutton has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If found guilty of the charges, Sutton may face up to 15 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine.
