By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A 60--year-old man from Herriman was killed at Cherry
Creek, near the Little Sahara Sand Dunes, in a shooting
accident on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Killed was Melvin Carter who was visiting the area
with a small group of friends and family members. The family
gathering turned tragic when a hand gun was accidentally
fired.
"The shooting appears to be an accident but the
incident is still under investigation," said Alden Orme,
Juab County Sheriff.
He said the family had traveled to the area to enjoy
riding 4-wheel off road vehicles and motorcycles. They had
just finished unloading the recreation vehicles when a
member of the group produced a Ruger 22-caliber pistol. He
was showing the pistol to some members of the group when the
shooting occurred.
"The gun apparently discharged accidentally and struck
the victim in the back," said Orme.
The gun owner, a man in his 50s, was examining the
pistol when it fired.
Although investigators believe the shooting was
accidental, an autopsy was scheduled for Monday before any
final determinations were made on intent or possible
charges.
Orme would not say whether the shooter was related to
the victim.
Carter was transported by private car to Eureka where
he was then loaded into an ambulance and was taken by West
Juab Ambulance to Mountain View Hospital in Payson.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
"We are not releasing the name of the owner of the gun
until we have finished our investigation," said Orme.
He said any information gleaned from the autopsy would
be released to the Sheriff's Office
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