OGDEN — A man who police say exchanged gunshots with his ex was charged Monday with trying to kill his former partner and her new boyfriend.
Jose Alfredo Bustos, 32, of Ogden, was charged in 2nd District Court with two counts of attempted murder, a first-degree felony, as well as four counts of discharge or a firearm, obstructing justice, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and two counts of domestic violence in the presence of children, all third-degree felonies.
On June 13, several neighbors in the 500 block of Eccles Avenue reported hearing arguing in the street followed by “several shots being exchanged” between a man in a car and a person or people in the street, according to charging documents.
Bustos and a woman who lives at the residence have children in common, the charges state. After Bustos dropped off several children, he drove away but then turned around and drove back to where the woman and her new boyfriend were standing, the charges state.
“Jose was seen as the driver and only occupant of the vehicle and was seen holding a semi-automatic pistol in his right hand. Jose was pointing the firearm at the victim and a verbal exchange began between Jose and the victim,” according to charging documents.
“Based on a number of reported and unreported threats to kill the victim, oftentimes including gang-related content, and prior documented and undocumented domestic violence, the victim believed she was about to be killed. The victim removed her own .380 Ruger pistol and shot at Jose,” the charges further stated. “Jose is believed to have fired approximately four rounds at the victim and her boyfriend as they dove for cover behind another vehicle. ... One shot passed within about a couple feet of where the victim and her boyfriend were.”
At least five children, ranging in ages from 3 to 13, were believed to be present in the house when the shots were fired, the charges state.
When police later interviewed Bustos, “He claimed he was shot at first, but when confronted with his own statements that he had put gloves on and armed himself prior to the encounter with the victim he had no credible explanation,” according to the charges.
Those who experience domestic violence can call police dispatch at 801-799-3000; the 24-hour victim advocate hotline at 801-580-7969; the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233; or the Utah LINKLine at 800-897-5465.