Teen Shoots Five People, Killing Three at West Valley City Carnival
A tragic incident unfolded at a carnival in West Valley City, Utah, on Sunday when a 16-year-old boy opened fire on a group of people, resulting in the death of three individuals, including an 8-month-old infant. The shooting took place at WestFest at Centennial Park, just 6 miles southwest of downtown Salt Lake City, in what police described as a confrontation between two groups.
According to authorities, the teen suspect pulled out a gun and began shooting as police officers approached to intervene in the altercation. While one officer fired back, no one was injured by the return fire. The shooter fatally wounded an 18-year-old man and an innocent 41-year-old woman bystander. Additionally, two teenagers, a 17-year-old girl, and a 15-year-old boy, sustained gunshot wounds to the arm during the incident.
The 16-year-old suspect was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement officers and taken into custody. Due to his age, his identity has not been disclosed to the public. West Valley City spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku stated during a press conference that the authorities were in the process of interviewing witnesses to gather more information about the tragic event.
While the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, Vainuku mentioned that it was uncertain if the incident was gang-related. She noted that the altercation appeared to stem from a verbal dispute between the two groups present at the carnival, which drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 people.
In a separate, unrelated incident the day before, a man was killed during a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City. The protest turned violent when a member of a peacekeeping team fired at a man wielding a rifle, injuring both the rifleman and an innocent bystander. Tragically, the bystander succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these senseless acts of violence, authorities continue their investigations to bring justice to the victims and their families.
