UTAH COUNTY, Utah -- A father accused of shooting and killing his infant son in April appeared in court Monday for a competency hearing.
Joshua Petersen, 21, faces aggravated murder charges in connection with the deadly shooting in his American Fork home.
A judge ruled Monday that Petersen is competent to stand trial.
Police said Petersen shot his 5-month old son, Ryker, at a home near 500 North and 500 East on April 5.
According to the probable cause statement, “Joshua Petersen laid his five month old son on a couch in the basement of his American Fork residence…and loaded a single round into a .22 caliber rifle. Joshua returned to his son with the rifle, pointed the rifle at his son’s forehead, and shot his son.”
The infant was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, then flown to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City where he was pronounced dead.
Police said Petersen planned to shoot himself after killing Ryker, but a family member intervened.
Prosecutors will now decide if they should seek the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Related stories:
Judge denies bail for man accused of murdering infant son
