West Valley City Festival Shattered by Gunfire: 3 Dead, Including Baby
West Valley City Festival Shattered by Gunfire: 3 Dead, Including Baby
The annual WestFest in West Valley City, Utah, turned into a scene of tragedy Sunday night when a seemingly minor argument escalated into a deadly shooting, leaving three people dead and two injured.
According to West Valley City spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku, the incident unfolded around 9:20 p.m. at Centennial Park. Police officers witnessed two groups engaged in a verbal altercation and intervened. A 16-year-old boy from one group then opened fire, striking multiple people. One officer returned fire but did not hit the suspect.
The victims included an 18-year-old man believed to have been in the opposing group, a 41-year-old woman, and an 8-month-old baby—all innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Two teenagers, a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to their arms. Their involvement, if any, in the initial dispute is under investigation.
The 16-year-old suspect is in custody and will be questioned. Police are appealing to witnesses who left the scene to come forward with any information they may have. The motive behind the argument remains unclear, and authorities have not yet confirmed a gang connection.
This heartbreaking incident has left the community reeling, highlighting the devastating consequences of gun violence and the urgent need for answers.
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