A transient arrested in connection with the shooting of a California man waiting for a ride outside the downtown Marriott Hotel told police he didn't know the victim.

Mikell Bowes Sweezey, 36, remained in the Salt Lake County Jail Tuesday for investigation of attempted murder in connection with the shooting of Steven Matthews, 26, Newport Beach, Calif. Matthews remained at LDS Hospital Tuesday in satisfactory condition.Investigators remain baffled about the gunman's motive.

Moments after the shooting, a man reportedly told a Crossroads Plaza security officer he shot the man because someone had wrecked his home. But when asked if Matthews was the one who wrecked it, the man said he didn't know Matthews, he "just shot him," according to a Salt Lake police report.

After his arrest, Sweezey told police his home was a tent behind the state Capitol. He said he had been living there for a year and said "they" took his clothes and his tent, according to the report. Sweezey did not identify who "they" were.

"I don't have anything left. My life's wrecked," he told the officer, according to the police report.

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Police said Matthews was waiting for transportation at the hotel's west entrance about 6:10 p.m. Sunday. He had been staying at the hotel while visiting his sister, a Brigham Young University student.

As he waited, a man stepped up to him and fired a shot at close range - apparently without provocation. Matthews was struck in the face, and the gunman casually walked away but was stopped by a hotel employee.

When police arrived and questioned Sweezey, he asked if his name would be released to the press and asked if he might make national news. He continually asked police about the victim's condition and also asked officers which they thought was worse: being in prison or a mental institution, according to the police report.

Sweezey has been referred to the jail's mental health unit.

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