West Jordan man shot when neighbor steps in to break up fight

West Jordan police are investigating a shooting involving a man who has arguing with his girlfriend and the neighbor who tried to intervene.

A 36-year-old man and his girlfriend were arguing in their vehicle, parked in the lot of the apartment complex where he lives at 3851 W. Cobble Ridge Drive (6960 South), when a neighbor out walking his dog overheard them. He went over to help but ended up getting into a fight with the boyfriend in the parking lot about 1 a.m., said West Jordan police Officer J.C. Holt.

The 24-year-old neighbor was armed with a handgun, and at some point during the fight the weapon went off, and the boyfriend was shot near his pelvis, Holt said. Police are not releasing details about how the gun went off, as the investigation is ongoing, though the bullet came close to his femoral artery.

"Anytime you have a wound there, that's pretty critical," Holt said.

The boyfriend was taken to the hospital in critical condition and has since been stabilized. The neighbor also went to the hospital with a cut on his forehead from the fight.

The woman was not hurt, although she's shaken up, Holt said. Several other people witnessed the fight as well, and police were interviewing them Saturday.

mmcfall@sltrib.com