SLCPD: Supervisor arrested for shooting employee in the leg after argument

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Police arrested a man who they say shot a coworker in the leg following an argument Monday evening.

Around 7:30 p.m., officers were called to the area of 3100 W. Professional Circle (approximately 1500 South) on reports of a person with a gun at a business.

According to police, 46-year-old Esekielu Tuigamala got into a verbal argument at work with the 27-year-old victim. Surveillance video reportedly shows Tuigamala walking out to his car and grabbing a gun. He then attempted to go back into the workplace, but someone had locked the door.

Police said the suspect then walked over to his coworker's car and shot all four tires.

"While [Tuigamala] was outside shooting at the vehicle, he repeatedly called out to the victim to come outside," police wrote in a probable cause statement. "[Tuigamala] admitted that something bad would have happened if the victim would have come outside."

Police said the victim unlocked the door to see what was happening, at which point the suspect allegedly shot him in the leg. The wound was "very minor," police said, and did not require any medical attention.

After a brief search of the area to find the suspect, he turned himself in.

Tuigamala was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, where he faces charges of aggravated assault, felony discharge of a firearm, and criminal mischief. He is being held without bail.

Police added that the suspect was the victim's "direct supervisor" at work.