Alleged Shooter Reyfus Graves
Ferron, Utah – April 14, 2016
Emery County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a call at 6:55 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from an off-duty Utah Highway Patrol lieutenant reporting a fight and shots fired at an apartment complex near his home. The lieutenant, who lives just around the corner from the apartment complex, had just pulled into his driveway when he heard shots and yelling. He could see the individuals but was too far away to know which of the subjects was shooting. After sending his family inside, he called 911 from his cell phone to alert Emery County Dispatch. He then got into his patrol vehicle and called Price Dispatch Center to request backup while driving to the scene.
As the off-duty UHP lieutenant pulled up to the apartments, he witnessed four subjects in an altercation. He drew his off-duty weapon and ordered all four subjects on the ground and into theprone position. After one of the subjects pointed out who had been shooting, the alleged shooter was placed in handcuffs while the others remained on the ground with their hands behind their heads/backs. While the UHP lieutenant was searching the alleged shooter and waiting for backup to arrive, one of the subjects stated that he had been able to get the gun away from the alleged shooter and place it on the couch in his apartment. At this point, several Emery County Sheriff’s Office personnel and UHP troopers arrived on scene for backup.
After investigation, it was learned that this incident started as a text messaging and Facebook argument. During the argument on social media, the victim stated that he and a friend were going to come to the apartment complex. As the victim, his friend and a juvenile pulled up to the complex, the alleged shooter, who was sitting in a vehicle with two other individuals, immediately exited the vehicle and started walking toward the victim’s vehicle. At this time, the unarmed victim exited his vehicle and the alleged shooter started firing a small caliber handgun at close range. Three shots were fired with one round hitting just above the door of the victim’s vehicle and one round hitting a house across the street. The third shot was fired underneath the vehicle as the victim was shielding himself on the other side of the vehicle.
The alleged shooter, Reyfus Graves, age 36, is being held in the Emery County Jail on preliminary charges of two counts of Attempted Homicide and two counts of Reckless Endangerment.
The owner of the firearm, Erick Stilson, age 37, is being held in the Emery County Jail on preliminary charges of Obstruction of Justice; two counts of Attempted Homicide; Possession of a Firearm by Restricted Person; and two counts of Reckless Endangerment.
All charges against both men are felonies. Charges could be amended after review by the prosecuting attorney. Bail for Graves is set at $40,000 and the amount set for Stilson is $5,000.
