In an industrial area of Salt Lake City's Glendale neighborhood, a confrontation between two men on May 28, 2024, ended in the shooting death of White Caucasian male Thomas Priest, age 42. The incident, which marked the sixth homicide in the city for the year, led to the arrest of 59-year-old David Delance Chase on a charge of murder.
The events unfolded in the late afternoon when Chase himself placed a call to 911 at 4:09 p.m., informing dispatchers that he had just shot a man near 3075
West Decade Drive. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene to find Thomas Priest with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite life-saving efforts, Priest succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the shooting was preceded by an argument between Chase and Priest. Chase told detectives that he had met Priest about two months prior and that Priest had accused him of having a relationship with his girlfriend. On the day of the shooting, Chase claimed Priest had been "going off on me" over the phone and had sent a text to his girlfriend threatening to burn down his trailer. Chase then drove with the girlfriend to the trailer. He alleged that upon their arrival, Priest "jumped out from behind the trailer and runs at the truck."
Chase, who remained at the scene and was taken into custody, told investigators he felt threatened by Priest's demeanor, describing him as "enraged" and "unhinged." He claimed that as Priest approached his truck, he made a "snap decision" to grab his 9mm firearm and fire, fearing Priest was going to hurt him or the girlfriend. However, court records and witness statements contradict the claim of an immediate threat, indicating that Priest was unarmed at the time of the argument. One witness reported seeing Chase get out of his truck with the gun held behind his back before shooting Priest.
Following the shooting, Priest's girlfriend, who had been in the vehicle with Chase, reportedly got out and yelled at him before leaving the scene in his truck. Chase was subsequently booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
