SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – August 12, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – SLCPD said two of the three suspects in the Liberty Park shooting last night are just 14 years old.
Police said the 16-year-old male victim was in the park with his girlfriend when they were approached by three Hispanic male suspects. They got into a verbal altercation that became heated; one of the suspects pulled a handgun and shot the victim in the chest, around 7:10 p.m.
He was taken to an area hospital in extremely critical condition, but has been upgraded to stable condition and is expected to recover, according to Salt Lake police detective Cody Lougy.
While responding to the scene, officers observed the suspects fleeing on foot and were able to apprehend one of them. The Gang Unit responded to assume the investigation. The weapon that was used was recovered by detectives. The first suspect apprehended was found to be the shooter and has been booked into juvenile detention for aggravated assault.
The two others managed to escape, running from the park in a south east direction, but one of them was then arrested approximately an hour after the shooting.
Police say numerous park visitors witnessed the shooting.
One suspect is still outstanding and detectives are actively working the investigation.
Anyone with information on the shooting can call police at 801-799-3000.
