Utah man arrested after reportedly opening fire on family that helped dislodge his truck from mud

A Utah man is in jail after allegedly opening fire on a family who had helped him dislodge his truck from mud. 

A family in unincorporated Duchesne County told police that on July 28 at around 9 p.m., they saw a truck pull into their driveway and get stuck in the mud, according to a police report reviewed by KUTV. The situation prompted a male family member to go outside and assist the man, who was later identified by authorities as Eric Delynn Burns, 31. 

“The individual identified himself to [victim] as Eric, and asked if he could pay him for the help. [Victim] declined Eric’s offer, and drove back to his property,” a report filed by the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office reads, according to KUTV. 

The male family member returned to his home, but soon saw a flashlight on the property, according to the report. The unidentified man then went outside to investigate and heard a man calling his name. Burns then made himself known to the victim.

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The man returned to his home and later told police he had an uneasy feeling about the situation and believed Burns had a weapon.

“That’s when they heard four shots in their general direction. [Victim] stated he and [another victim] gathered their wives and small children and retreated inside their travel trailers. [Victim] stated he heard another shot as they were running to the trailers. [Victims] had their families lay on the floor for cover, one child asked if they were going to die,” the sheriff’s report states.

A member of the family told investigators they thought the suspect was “going to kill us all.” 

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Logo for the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office in Utah
(Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office)

Deputies responded to the area and reported a gunshot was fired over one of their vehicles as they pulled up to the scene. The found Burns’ abandoned vehicle and several guns, including a stolen rifle, upon a search of the area, KUTV reported. 

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Burns was ultimately arrested and booked on multiple counts of aggravated assault and felony discharge of a firearm. Deputies reported that they did not fire their service weapons during the incident. 

Burns is being held without bail and was on probation at the time of the incident. 

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“[Burns] is a substantial risk to the general public and while on probation and parole caused an imminent threat to a family with children present,” the sheriff’s report states.