Police responded to a Brush Creek residence where a female was shooting at her sister
- May 27
- 3 min read
| by Travis Uresk | May 27th, 2026 |
Uintah County (5/24/26)—Deputies with the Uintah County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a shots-fired call on Brush Creek Rd. The woman said her sister fired a gun at her several times.
When police arrived on scene, a white van was leaving the property, from which they recognized the driver from previous law enforcement encounters with, and was identified as 55-year-old Dawn Marae Lafferty.
Dawn was visibly upset with the police being there and immediately began asking why she was being detained for simply shooting at coyotes. Deputy McDavid told her they were there to investigate shots being fired at her sister. Dawn claimed again that she was just hunting coyotes.
While police were speaking with Dawn, Trooper Ryan with the UHP noticed a revolver sitting on the front passenger seat. Dawn was asked if that was the gun she was using to shoot at the coyotes, and she replied, "Does it matter?"
She was informed by the deputy that, due to the investigation, it does matter and she wouldn't answer any of his questions. Dawn finally said that the dogs had come up to her vehicle while she was driving down the driveway, and she was trying to get them away by shooting the gun.
Deputy McDavid then spoke with Dawn's sister, who said she had seen Dawn enter the driveway and heard a single gunshot. She continued down the driveway and reached the top of the hill, where the residence is. Dawn and her sister started arguing.
During the argument, three more shots were fired from the revolver the trooper found on the passenger seat. She also stated that Dawn was at the base of the hill, firing the gun toward her.
The deputy then asked her what she believed was happening with the gunshots, and she stated that she believed Dawn was firing in her direction in a threatening manner.
Police spoke with Dawn's son, who told them that earlier in the day he received a text message from Dawn saying that if he didn't get her sister off the property, she would come over and do it herself.
Deputy McDavid returned to Dawn, placed her under arrest, and transported her to the Uintah County Jail by Trooper Ryan.
A search warrant was obtained and approved by a judge to retrieve the firearm from the vehicle. When the gun was taken from the vehicle, it was checked for safety. The police found three spent shell casings that were still in the revolver.
When the trooper arrived at the jail with Dawn, she slammed the handcuffs against the wall, breaking them.
Dawn Lafferty was booked into the Uintah County Jail on the following charges:
Aggravated Assault (DV)-For the argument and then the discharge of a firearm as an immediate show of force.
Felony Discharge of a Firearm-For discharging the handgun from the vehicle.
Property Damage-For breaking the cuffs she was placed in.
This current offense is a felony, and there is substantial evidence to support the charge, and through clear and convincing evidence that Dawn Lafferty would constitute a substantial danger to another individual or to the community, or is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court if released on bail.
Given the facts of the case, if Dawn is released from jail, she would pose a substantial risk to her sister. She has already fired multiple shots in her sister's direction during the course of this incident. As well as the message she had sent her son about "Taking care of it herself" before committing these crimes.
Traffic and Criminal Report
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