On Sunday night, during the annual “Westfest” celebration at Centennial Park in West Valley City, Utah, two groups of people clashed, resulting in a shooting incident. Five individuals were shot, three of whom were killed, including an eight-month-old baby, while two teenagers were injured with gunshot wounds to their arms.
Among the victims were a 41-year-old female bystander and an 18-year-old male participant in the altercation who also lost his life in the shooting.
Authorities mentioned that the two injured teenagers, a boy and a girl, were shot in the arms, but it is currently unclear whether they were connected to the two groups involved in the incident or the reason behind the altercation.
The West Valley City Police Department stated that as the police approached the groups to calm the situation, a 16-year-old male pulled out a gun and opened fire on the other group.
Police fired back at the suspect but did not hit him. The suspect has been detained and taken in for questioning.
According to reports from CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City, a pregnant woman also sustained injuries while trying to escape the scene and climbing over a fence. The television station cited a spokesperson from the West Valley City Police Department expressing sadness over the tragic turn of events, remarking that the celebration event in West Valley City, which was supposed to be something cherished and enjoyed by the community, had turned heartbreaking.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 156 mass shooting incidents in the United States so far this year. These incidents refer to events where four or more individuals are shot or killed, excluding the shooters themselves.
West Valley City, Utah’s second-largest city, hosts the annual Westfest celebration to commemorate the city’s history, celebrate its diverse cultures within the community, and promote community unity. The event features festivities, parades, live entertainment, food vendors, and fireworks displays.
(Reference: Reuters, CBS)