An argument at a campground in Payson Canyon ended in the death of a man and a woman early Saturday, according to deputies with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives say the 27-year-old man was seated in a car and the woman, 24, was standing outside. The pair, who were previously in a relationship and had a child together, had been arguing for a few hours, when at about 12:30 a.m. the man shot and killed himself. The same bullet then traveled through the car and struck the woman in the neck.
The man died instantly. The woman was critically injured, and medical professionals were unable to save her, according to a news release.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office says her death appears to be accidental, a theory backed by a witness who reported the shooting to police. The man said he didn’t see the shooting, but heard the argument and gunshot. Preliminary physical evidence also suggests the woman’s death was accidental, Lt. Erik Knutzen said.
Knutzen expects autopsy results back by early next week.
The man who reported the shooting and two young girls were unharmed.
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts is asked to call the 24-Hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Utah also has crisis lines statewide, and the SafeUT app offers immediate crisis intervention services for youths and a confidential tip program.
