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TOOELE — Criminal charges were filed Monday against a Tooele man accused of shooting and killing his wife in their apartment while their children were home.
Michael Leroy Patterson, 36, is charged in 3rd District Court with murder and discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; and two counts of domestic violence in the presence of children, a third-degree felony.
Patterson is accused of shooting his wife, Porchia Patterson, 35, in their apartment bathroom on Aug. 18 following an argument and then grabbing his keys and leaving, according to a police booking affidavit. He called police a short time later from across town and gave officers his location. Police responded to the area and arrested him.
Neighbors who had heard screaming following by a "loud boom" at the apartment in the area of 870 S. 1050 West went to investigate and found the couple's 9-year-old son "who stated that his mom was in the bathroom and was not moving," according to the affidavit.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
