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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, July 7, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — West Valley City police officers are investigating the Sunday night shooting of a 15-year-old boy.
WVCPD Lt. Justin Wyckoff told Gephardt Daily police responded to West Valley City Park at 4552 W. 3500 South about 7:50 p.m.
When officers arrived they found the 15-year-old lying in a grassy area with apparent bullet wounds to his upper chest. He was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital in serious condition, but was later upgraded to fair/good condition.
It isn’t known if the shooting was random or if the teen was targeted, Wyckoff said. Police have no information yet as to whether the incident was gang-related.
“No one knows why the kid was at the vehicles,” Wyckoff told reporters at the scene. “Witnesses were doing their own thing and thought maybe they heard fireworks. Then they looked up and saw the one kid running in the field and fall.”
He said witnesses called 911 and reported the shooting and one victim.
Information was limited when police arrived, and they still aren’t sure if the teen was alone or with others, because witnesses did see others teens in the park, but not necessarily with the victim.
There is also a question of where the shots came from. Wyckoff said some witnesses reported seeing a red vehicle, some said they saw a white vehicle, and others reported that a black vehicle was involved.
“We’re leaning toward the black vehicle, but we really aren’t sure at this point,” he said.
Officers have been canvassing the area around the north end of the park, hoping to find homeowners with surveillance video that might have captured the incident.
Shell casings were being collected and processed, also.
“We’ll talk to the victim once he’s out of X-ray or out of the hospital,” Wyckoff said. “He’s our best bet for getting information.”
It was noted that many families were at the park and more were arriving as police began their investigation.
Anyone who may have heard or seen anything related to this shooting is asked to call West Valley City Police at 801-840-4000.
Gephardt Daily is following this developing story and will provide more information as it is made available.
