A Utah judge ordered jail time and probation after prosecutors said a gun handling session between friends ended in a deadly shooting.
FARMINGTON, Utah — A Roy man was sentenced Wednesday to jail and probation for fatally shooting another man while the two practiced drawing handguns from holsters inside a garage, according to court records and prosecutors.
The case centered on the 2023 death of 23-year-old Nathan Johnson, who prosecutors said was accidentally shot during a gun-handling session at a home in Davis County. The defendant, identified in court filings as 24-year-old Austin Coleman of Roy, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a reduced felony charge tied to reckless conduct involving a firearm. A judge in Farmington ordered Coleman to serve jail time followed by supervised probation as part of the sentencing agreement reached with prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Investigators said the shooting happened after several friends gathered in a garage and began practicing drawing firearms from holsters. According to police reports summarized in court proceedings, Coleman believed his handgun was unloaded before pointing it in Johnson’s direction and pulling the trigger. The weapon discharged, striking Johnson. Emergency crews responded to the home and attempted lifesaving measures before Johnson was pronounced dead. Prosecutors said interviews conducted after the shooting showed the group had been handling firearms casually and without formal safety precautions. During sentencing, prosecutors argued that Coleman’s actions demonstrated extreme recklessness because he failed to properly check the firearm before handling it. Defense attorneys described the shooting as a devastating mistake that permanently altered multiple families.
Family members filled the courtroom as the judge reviewed victim impact statements and sentencing recommendations. Relatives of Johnson described him as a loyal friend who enjoyed outdoor recreation and spending time with family. Several speakers said the shooting continues to affect those who witnessed it and the broader community of friends connected to both men. Coleman addressed the court before sentencing and apologized to Johnson’s family, saying he thinks about the shooting every day. Court records indicate the plea agreement reduced the possibility of a longer prison sentence in exchange for Coleman accepting responsibility for the shooting. The judge said the case highlighted the serious consequences that can result from improper firearm handling even when there is no intent to kill.
Utah law allows prosecutors to pursue criminal charges in accidental shooting cases when investigators believe reckless actions contributed to a death. In this case, authorities initially examined evidence from the garage, including firearms, shell casings and witness statements from those present during the shooting. Prosecutors later filed charges alleging Coleman acted recklessly by handling the handgun without confirming it was unloaded. Defense attorneys argued Coleman immediately cooperated with police and remained at the scene after the shooting. Court records showed no indication that the shooting stemmed from an argument or intentional violence. Instead, investigators described the incident as a preventable firearm accident that escalated into a criminal case because of the way the gun was handled.
The sentencing comes as law enforcement agencies across Utah continue warning about accidental shootings involving improperly handled firearms. Police departments and firearms instructors have repeatedly emphasized basic safety practices after several accidental discharges were reported statewide in recent years. Prosecutors did not indicate whether alcohol or drugs played any role in the Roy shooting. The judge ordered Coleman to comply with probation requirements after his release from jail, including restrictions tied to firearms possession and future compliance with court supervision. Additional court review hearings may be scheduled to monitor probation conditions and ensure the sentence is completed according to state requirements.
Johnson’s family members said outside the courtroom that no sentence could reverse the loss caused by the shooting, though they hoped the case would serve as a reminder about firearm safety and accountability. Coleman left the courtroom without speaking publicly beyond his statement to the judge. Attorneys involved in the case said the plea agreement closed a lengthy legal process that began shortly after the fatal shooting in 2023.