ST. GEORGE, Utah, May 27, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — Police responded to a report of a gunshot inside a St. George hotel Friday morning, arresting a homeless man who’d fled the scene.
Staff at La Quinta Inn, at 91 E. 2680 South, said the shot came from the second floor, according to a St. George police press release. “Officers expedited their response to the area as dispatchers contacted nearby businesses making them aware of the situation.”
Witnesses’ descriptions and accounts of the 9 a.m. incident led to the homeless man, who had thrown the firearm into a wooded area. Police later found the weapon.
The suspect, Sergio Avila, was located and arrested and faces multiple charges, including two counts of aggravated assault, criminal mischief and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, all third-degree felonies, and misdemeanor counts of discharge of a weapon, reckless endangerment, and pedestrian in a freeway.
“There were no injuries and there is no danger to the community,” the press release concluded. “We appreciate the cooperation from the businesses and witnesses on this incident.”
