Police: Kearns teen made up home invasion, actually shot self

Unified police said a 17-year-old, who called for help Saturday night claiming he had been shot during a home invasion, made up the story.

Police said the teen actually shot himself and tried to blame it on a home invasion robbery.

Police said they received a call about 7:40 p.m. from the 17-year-old indicating two people were in his home in the 5200 block of S. Leprechaun Lane in Kearns and pointing a gun at him.

The call then disconnected.

The teen called back a few minutes later indicating he had exchanged gunfire with the intruders and had been shot, police said.

The teen was transported to the hospital in fair condition to be treated for the gunshot wound.

But when police began to process the scene, officers determined the evidence was not consistent with the teen's story.

Detectives then interviewed the teen who allegedly admitted that he staged the home invasion robbery and had actually shot himself.

The teen remained in fair condition Sunday.

Unified police spokesman Justin Hoyal said detectives are still trying to determine why the teen intentionally shot himself but the incident was not a suicide attempt.

Hoyal said the teen suffered the gunshot wound to his arm.

He could face possible criminal charges for filing a false police report.

jstecklein@sltrib.com

Twitter @sltribjanelle