SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 6, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Police are investigating an incident Thursday night that started with an argument at the Motel 6 near 200 West and 600 South and ended with one person shooting at the other.
The shooter missed the intended victim, but the bullet apparently blasted out a window on a passing car and at least one child in the car was injured by the shattered glass.
Salt Lake City Police Lt. James Tracy said police were called shortly before 6 p.m.
“Some people visiting or staying at Motel 6 got into an argument,” Tracy said. “One of them goes across the street to the Maverik, and a second one drives over.
“The first one shoots at the car, and the second one drives off,” Tracy continued. “The shooter and the intended victim both left the scene.”
Tracy said a family that was not involved happened to be driving by when the weapon was fired, and a stray bullet shattered the window of the car.
“Two kids were in the car, and the 10- or 12-year-old was taken to the hospital,” he said.
Tracy said he was sure the shards of glass were painful, but he didn’t think the youngster was seriously injured.
Police set up containment on the second floor of the motel where the angry dispute had begun.
“We contained several rooms and evacuated others,” Tracy said. “Some of the rooms were empty, which was good under the circumstances.”
Several people were detained for questioning as material witnesses. Police are also looking at video of the incident.
No further information was being released Thursday night, but Tracy said this appears to be a disagreement between the two people and he doesn’t think the public is at risk, “except for the stray bullets.”
Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information becomes available.
