- विज्ञापन -
Utah: Three people, including an 8-month-old baby, were killed and two others injured in a mass shooting during the final night of WestFest, a cultural festival in West Valley City, Utah — the second-largest city in the state.
According to the West Valley City Police Department, the victims include a 41-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and an infant. Two teenagers sustained gunshot wounds, and a pregnant woman was hurt while trying to jump a fence to escape the gunfire.
A 16-year-old male suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku confirmed that no other suspects are currently being sought.
The shooting occurred around 9:20 p.m. on Sunday at Centennial Park, right in front of several carnival rides, causing chaos among families and children attending the festival. Officers on patrol noticed a verbal altercation between two groups. As they approached to intervene, the teenage suspect reportedly drew a gun and opened fire.
“At 9:20 p.m., officers at the WestFest carnival saw two groups involved in a verbal confrontation. When they approached to break up the fight, a 16-year-old male pulled out a gun and fired. An officer fired but did not hit the suspect. The suspect was later taken into custody,” police stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Though officers were nearby, they did not discharge their weapons and successfully detained the shooter shortly after the gunfire started. Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion, with families rushing to evacuate. Many used social media to report the heavy police presence and share their experiences of the tragedy.
Police are currently interviewing witnesses and believe there could be more people who saw what happened. They urged anyone who left the scene during the chaos to come forward with information.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Authorities have not yet interviewed the suspect and have not confirmed any gang involvement.
WestFest, an annual celebration of West Valley City’s cultural diversity, is a popular event that features music, food, and rides. The tragic incident has shocked the community, overshadowing the festive atmosphere. The investigation is ongoing.
