This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ogden • A recording of numerous 911 calls reporting Sunday's shooting at a North Ogden church audibly conveys the ensuing terror and chaos.
Some callers were crying. Others were fairly calm, even while screaming could be heard in the background. A number knew the alleged shooter from seeing him previously in church, but not everyone knew how he was related to the victim.
James Evans, 66, was shot in the head at St. James the Just Catholic Church, 495 N. Harrison Blvd., during a morning Mass on June 16. His son-in-law, Charles Richard Jennings Jr., of North Ogden, has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting, a first-degree felony.
After running from the church, Jennings allegedly accosted a neighbor and stole his truck at gunpoint. He was charged with two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of aggravated robbery, also first-degree felonies, in relation to that alleged incidents. He is also charged with possession or use of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.
After allegedly stealing the truck, Jennings drove north but ran out of gas in Box Elder County. He was captured while walking on Interstate 84 later that afternoon.
Police have not cited a motive for the shooting.
Evans has been hospitalized since the shooting but is expected to recover. The bullet entered his right ear and exited through his cheek. He did not suffer brain damage but his jaw will need to be reconstructed.
Jennings' criminal history is limited to lower-level felonies and a misdemeanor, including theft and drug possession. In 2004, Jennings was convicted of theft and trying to tamper with a witness or juror, for which he served about a year in prison. As a convicted felon, Jennings was not allowed to have a firearm.
Jennings was scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a bail hearing, but the hearing was rescheduled to give his attorney time to meet his client.
The recording of the 911 calls, edited to remove the names of witnesses and phone numbers provided to dispatchers, includes the pastor of the church, the Rev. Erik Richtsteig, who was saying Mass when the shooting occurred.
On Thursday evening, Richsteig planned to hold a liturgy of reparation to cleanse the church of evil.
Hear the calls
O To listen to the recording of 911 calls about the shooting at St. James the Just Cathlic Church, visit tinyurl.com/kgkotd6