DRIGGS, Idaho -- A Wyoming man is facing two counts of first-degree murder after authorities say he opened fire on his girlfriend at a cabin near Driggs, killing both her and her unborn child.
Erik Martin Ohlson, 39, was charged Wednesday after the body of 39-year-old Jennifer Nalley was discovered on the porch of a cabin at 1370 East 3500 North in Driggs.
In an interview with Idaho State Police after his arrest, Ohlson said he went to Nalley's cabin with a loaded Glock .45 pistol in the early hours of Tuesday morning because he wanted to scare the woman.
He told police the pair never fought physically, but had an "emotionally destructive" relationship. He also said Nalley had told him 10-14 weeks ago that she was pregnant, and showed him photos from her ultrasound.
Ohlson told detectives he knocked on her door. As soon as the door was opened, he said, Nalley rushed forward at him and may have pushed him in the chest. According to police documents, Ohlson then admitted to pulling out the pistol and shooting Nalley. He said she fell to the ground and he continued to fire "until his gun ran out of bullets."
The suspect told detectives he planned to use the gun to commit suicide, but was unable to shoot himself. He reported throwing the gun to the side of the road before going back to his truck and driving away.
Pregnant woman slain, boyfriend charged with murder
A short time later, Ohlson drove his truck into a power pole. He told detectives he had intended to kill himself in the wreck.
The crash was reported at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, and cut off power in the area. Ohlson was taken into custody for driving under the influence by deputies with the Teton County Sheriff's Office, who did not yet realize Nalley had been killed.
As Ohlson was being arrested and booked into jail, he told a deputy he had "bigger problems than the DUI and crash," according to a police report.
Police say he later asked the same deputy whether his service weapon was a Glock Gen4, saying he also owned a Glock and liked it.
The victim's uncle called 911 after finding Nalley's body on the porch. The Glock Ohlson said he had tossed away was recovered a short distance from the cabin.
The suspect is being held without bond, and is due back in court July 20 for a preliminary hearing. If convicted of first-degree murder, Ohlson will face up to life in prison or the death penalty.
