SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 7, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 15-year-old boy was wounded Thursday in an apparent gang-related shooting outside West High School.
According to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Public Relations Unit, police were notified of the shooting at 2:02 p.m. after emergency dispatchers received a call from a local hospital reporting a teen male “showed up with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.”
Police say the juvenile told hospital staff “someone shot him at West High School,” and post surgery, doctors confirmed the “15-year-old’s injury was consistent with a gunshot wound.”
Police responded to the hospital where they learned there was a possible “gang-nexus” to the shooting and contacted the SLCPD Gang Unit.
Gang Unit detectives were dispatched to the hospital, and to West High, where they conducted interviews and reviewed surveillance video.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe around 12:15 p.m. 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,” the SLCPD PR Unit said.
At some point, a weapon was discharged and a bullet struck the 15-year-old.
Immediately after the shooting “everyone left the parking lot in various directions, including the 15-year-old,” who police say returned to his home before being driven to the hospital by a family member.
“Despite there being several witnesses, no one reported the incident to SLC911, SLCPD School Resource Officers, or school officials,” the news release said.
Detectives are asking anyone with information in the case to call 801-799-3000.
“They believe there may be people who have video or photos that could assist in the investigation.”
Investigators think the shooting “was an isolated incident between several teenagers” and “there is no evidence to suggest any greater threat to the West High School community.”
SLCPD says it will have additional patrols at West High on Friday.
Gephardt Daily will update this developing story as more information becomes available.
