Pocatello man accused of shooting brother
Published at
POCATELLO — A man is in the Bannock County Detention Center after police say he shot his brother.
Dustin Sweeney, 30, is charged with aggravated battery after an incident in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 7, on the 300 block of South Lincoln Avenue.
Court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com reveal the victim had a bullet wound to his left leg, just above his kneecap. He was taken to Portneuf Medical Center and then airlifted to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Witness statements indicate there was an argument between the brothers before the shooting.
A neighbor told police he heard the men yelling, “Just get out of here” and “Give me my Glock back.”
At one point, court documents state, the neighbor heard Sweeney say, “I’ll shoot you,” and a gunshot followed moments later.
Reports state the neighbor heard the victim say, “You (expletive) shot me” and Sweeney replied, “I told you, I told you.”
At that point, the neighbor crawled to inside and asked his estranged wife called police.
Police arrived moments later and said Sweeney had left the home on foot.
Sweeney was located the next day, on Feb. 9, at the Thunderbird Motel in Pocatello.
Detectives said the victim was uncooperative and did not want an investigation conducted. He later signed a release of investigation.
They consulted with Bannock County prosecutor and determined there is enough evidence to prosecute Sweeney regardless of whether his brother wanted to cooperate with investigators.
Court records show Bannock County Prosecutor Stephen Herzog will seek an enhancement penalty for the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime. The enhancement effectively doubles the sentence in this crime from 15 to years to 30 years of maximum incarceration if Sweeney is convicted.
Sweeney is being held on $50,000 bond.