BLUFFDALE Utah (ABC4 News) Mistakes by both suspect and victim may have contributed to a shooting in Bluffdale.
The shooting left David Serbeck wounded and perhaps paralyzed. Serbeck and his partner were doing a neighborhood mobile patrol Tuesday night when they were confronted by an angry Reginald Campos.
Authorities said Campos believed the two men were stalking their daughter and friends.
But investigators learned that the two men were performing their duties and asking questions of the girls.
However, those familiar with mobile patrols said that mistakes were made.
"Don't take firearms with you and don't get involved,” said Levi Hughes who teaches mobile watch patrols for the sheriff’s office. “You don't stop people and interview them, don't question people you think might be involved in a crime. Leave that to law enforcement.”
Serbeck was carrying a gun and did have a concealed weapons permit. But Campos didn’t. However a new law allows the public to carry a weapon in their car. And the law allows the owner to use if it’s a case of self defense.
The 9-1-1 audio tape released by the sheriff’s office reveals that Campos thought he was in danger.
"He got out of his car and pulled a gun on me and he cocked it and I let him have it,” said Campos to the dispatcher.
Campos fired three times and held the two men on the ground until deputies arrived.
But the new law that allows gun owners to carry a weapon in their car worries law enforcement.
"Now that we have a law that says anybody can carry a loaded firearm in their vehicle, they're not going through the same training that people who have concealed permits are,” said Lt. Don Hutson of the Salt Lake County sheriff’s office.
And without proper training, authorities worry more of these kinds of shootings will occur.
According to gun experts, safety courses teach about those heated moments.
“The number one thing we learn is we have to identify who the good guys are and who the bad guys are and obviously he (Campos) didn't take that step,” said Mike Larsen with Doug’s Shoot’N Sports.
Campos was booked into the Sale Lake County jail on attempted murder. Prosecutors have yet to file charges against him.
Meanwhile, Serbeck remains hospitalized and in critical condition. There is some fear that the bullet damaged his spinal cord and may be paralyzed.
