SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 20, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Gang Unit today arrested a 16-year-old boy who allegedly discharged a firearm on Nov. 7 in the parking lot of West High School, wounding a 15-year-old male.
“This case became a critical focus for our Gang Unit despite there being little cooperation from those who witnessed this incident,” SLCPD Chief Brown said in a prepared statement.
“Our detectives sacrificed time with their families on this case, often coming in on their days off to move this investigation forward while still managing their existing caseloads,” Brown said. “I am grateful for their work.”
Detectives booked the 16-year-old male into the Salt Lake County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious bodily injury and aggravated assault.
Background
While at the hospital, the juvenile victim told hospital staff someone shot him at West High School, the SLCPD statement says. SLCPD School Resource Officers (SROs) and patrol officers responded to the hospital to gather more information about the circumstances. SLCPD gang detectives responded to the hospital and West High School to continue the investigation by speaking with the patient, reviewing video, and searching the parking lots of West High School for any potential evidence.
After surgery, doctors confirmed the injury to the 15-year-old was consistent with a gunshot wound.
Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe that around 12:15 p.m. on the day of the incident, a Thursday, “a group of teenagers gathered in a parking lot on high school property. Many of the teenagers appeared to know each other and appeared to be involved in an ongoing conflict.
“At some point, someone discharged a firearm, and a bullet struck the 15-year-old. Immediately after, everyone left the parking lot in various directions, including the 15-year-old. A family member of the 15-year-old drove him to the hospital after he returned home injured.”
Despite there being several witnesses, no one reported the incident to dispatch, police or school officials, the SLCPD statement says.
