A man was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 5 in Price after he attempted to run over children at the Dino Mine Park. David Earl Holden, age 57, was booked into the Carbon County Jail for investigation on counts of attempted murder, using a weapon in a fight, reckless driving and making a threat of violence.

According to witnesses in the booking affidavit, the incident started when Holden got out of his car and spit on the window of another vehicle. When the driver of the vehicle got out to confront Holden as to why he did it, Holden reentered his vehicle and began to allegedly “drive erratically, chasing children through the park.”

The affidavit continues,” David drove over curbs and onto the grass in his attempts to run children over. (A witness) explained that the children had to flee and jump out of the way of David’s truck so they would not be run over.” 

Following this chase, Holden allegedly got out of the vehicle and began to throw rocks at the children. Some of the children responded in kind, and Holden was struck in the face by a rock.

According to the arrest report, surveillance video later obtained of the incident confirmed, ” there was a vehicle that had driven erratically at the Dino Mine Park and that it appeared to be attempting to run children over.”

A second witness told police that before this incident had started Holden had allegedly grabbed a knife and headed toward a group of children. That same witness in the affidavit also explained,” One child in particular was very nearly run over and would have been had he not jumped out of the way of David’s vehicle.” 

Holden left the scene and followed a teenager to a McDonalds Parking lot, where police then responded. Holden was found bleeding from his face where he was struck. He was then taken into custody. According to the affidavit, while being taken into custody Holden told authorities,” if he was released, he would attempt to find a firearm and would become the next mass shooter.”