Topline: A 33-year-old woman was transferred to a trauma center after a shooting at a Moab home left her critically injured and a man dead.
Published: September 18, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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MOAB, UT — A 33-year-old woman remained critically injured after a shooting at a Moab home that left a 30-year-old man dead and prompted an investigation into a suspected attempted murder-suicide.
Moab City Police identified the man as Charles Anthony “Tony” Nelson, a Moab resident. Investigators believe he likely entered the home, shot the woman and then killed himself, according to ABC4’s report on a police department news release. Police said they were not searching for a suspect, but their assessment remained preliminary while they awaited an autopsy and medical records.
A neighbor called 911 after seeing a man pull into the driveway at 290 W. Williams Way, force his way through the door and hearing a woman scream, police said. Officers arrived within two minutes and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds.
Nelson was dead when first responders reached him. The woman was breathing but had a weak pulse. Authorities described her condition as extremely critical.
The woman, also a Moab resident, was taken to Moab Regional Hospital and then transferred to a Level II trauma center. Police said medical staff and surgeons were working to save her life. Her name was not released.
Investigators were still interviewing witnesses and gathering information. The report did not establish a relationship between Nelson and the woman or a motive for the shooting.
Police Chief Lex Bell expressed sympathy for the families, friends and others affected, saying the violence had deeply affected the close-knit community. He encouraged people experiencing suicidal or violent thoughts to seek assistance through Moab Dispatch at 435-259-8115 or by calling 988 for round-the-clock support.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Moab Woman Critically Injured in Suspected Attempted Murder-Suicide
A 33-year-old woman was transferred to a trauma center after a shooting at a Moab home left her critically injured and a man dead.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 18, 2026 10:04 pm ET
MOAB, UT — A 33-year-old woman remained critically injured after a shooting at a Moab home that left a 30-year-old man dead and prompted an investigation into a suspected attempted murder-suicide.
Moab City Police identified the man as Charles Anthony “Tony” Nelson, a Moab resident. Investigators believe he likely entered the home, shot the woman and then killed himself, according to ABC4’s report on a police department news release. Police said they were not searching for a suspect, but their assessment remained preliminary while they awaited an autopsy and medical records.
A neighbor called 911 after seeing a man pull into the driveway at 290 W. Williams Way, force his way through the door and hearing a woman scream, police said. Officers arrived within two minutes and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds.
Nelson was dead when first responders reached him. The woman was breathing but had a weak pulse. Authorities described her condition as extremely critical.
The woman, also a Moab resident, was taken to Moab Regional Hospital and then transferred to a Level II trauma center. Police said medical staff and surgeons were working to save her life. Her name was not released.
Investigators were still interviewing witnesses and gathering information. The report did not establish a relationship between Nelson and the woman or a motive for the shooting.
Police Chief Lex Bell expressed sympathy for the families, friends and others affected, saying the violence had deeply affected the close-knit community. He encouraged people experiencing suicidal or violent thoughts to seek assistance through Moab Dispatch at 435-259-8115 or by calling 988 for round-the-clock support.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Moab Woman Critically Injured in Suspected Attempted Murder-Suicide
A 33-year-old woman was transferred to a trauma center after a shooting at a Moab home left her critically injured and a man dead.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 18, 2026 10:04 pm ET
MOAB, UT — A 33-year-old woman remained critically injured after a shooting at a Moab home that left a 30-year-old man dead and prompted an investigation into a suspected attempted murder-suicide.
Moab City Police identified the man as Charles Anthony “Tony” Nelson, a Moab resident. Investigators believe he likely entered the home, shot the woman and then killed himself, according to ABC4’s report on a police department news release. Police said they were not searching for a suspect, but their assessment remained preliminary while they awaited an autopsy and medical records.
A neighbor called 911 after seeing a man pull into the driveway at 290 W. Williams Way, force his way through the door and hearing a woman scream, police said. Officers arrived within two minutes and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds.
Nelson was dead when first responders reached him. The woman was breathing but had a weak pulse. Authorities described her condition as extremely critical.
The woman, also a Moab resident, was taken to Moab Regional Hospital and then transferred to a Level II trauma center. Police said medical staff and surgeons were working to save her life. Her name was not released.
Investigators were still interviewing witnesses and gathering information. The report did not establish a relationship between Nelson and the woman or a motive for the shooting.
Police Chief Lex Bell expressed sympathy for the families, friends and others affected, saying the violence had deeply affected the close-knit community. He encouraged people experiencing suicidal or violent thoughts to seek assistance through Moab Dispatch at 435-259-8115 or by calling 988 for round-the-clock support.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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