Utah Man Arrested After Scary Scene in Downtown St. George

Late Night Panic: Gunshots in St. George

Late night crowds in St. George received a scare over the weekend after gunshots were reported near one of the busiest nightlife spots in town! According to St. George Police, the incident happened shortly after midnight on Sunday near Main Street and St. George Boulevard. This area is packed with bars, restaurants, stores, and people enjoying a night out. Officers were called after reports surfaced that someone fired a gun in a nearby parking lot!

What Happened: The Incident Unfolds

Police say the suspect, 34 year old Jason Randall Pope of Ivins had been denied entry into a bar earlier that night. Witnessed claimed a confrontation occurred, and at some point later on, a gun was fired in a dirt parking lot located behind several businesses downtown. Officers later identified Pope after reviewing ID scans from the bar and matching those with witness descriptions. Police also located a 9mm shell casing in the area where a vehicle matching Pope's black Jeep Wrangler had been parked.

Identifying the Suspect: From Denied Entry to Arrest

Officers later contacted Pope at his home in Ivins. Investigators say he admitted to assaulting someone after the bar refused his entry. According to court documents, Pope said that he then returned to his vehicle and was confronted by another individual. During that encounter, he reportedly retrieved his firearm and fired a shot toward the ground to show the other person he, indeed, had a gun.

Charges Filed: The Legal Consequences

Police arrested Pope early Tuesday morning and he was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on multiple charges. These charges were discharging of a firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence, and assault. Pope was held on a $10,000 bail, which he later posted before being released. Pope is scheduled to appear in court on March 12th as the investigation on this incident continues.