By Laura French
SALT LAKE CITY — A Nevada man was arrested in Utah this weekend after allegedly threatening multiple people with a gun, shooting at an ambulance, starting a grass fire and stealing a recreational vehicle.
E’an Pernell Hendrix, 31, was arrested Saturday following a manhunt that began shortly after the ambulance shooting, according to Deseret News. Utah Highway Patrol troopers initially spotted and pursued Hendrix after the shooting but were forced to call off the pursuit when he reportedly drove through a construction zone.
Officials say the incident began when the suspect was mistakenly allowed entry into a private, gated camping area, where he allegedly broke into a fenced area containing recreational vehicles and stole a side-by-side UTV.
Hendrix is accused of then lighting “Roman candles or flares,” which ignited a grass fire causing more than $5,000 worth of damage, according to an affidavit.
Witnesses said Hendrix pointed his gun at and threatened to kill campers who tried to stop him from leaving the area and fired several shots into the air. He then allegedly rammed through a gate and fled the area before the reported highway shooting.
Units from multiple agencies, including a helicopter, participated in the search for Hendrix Sunday. He was ultimately located underneath a bridge late Saturday and arrested. He now faces numerous charges including arson, aggravated assault, making a threat of violence, possession of a weapon by a restricted person, criminal mischief and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.