WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — One juvenile was killed and another is on life support after they were shot late Friday night at a Halloween party in West Valley City.
West Valley City Police say the incident began after a dispute broke out just before midnight as a large group was leaving the party in the area of 2500 W. Westsire Drive.
Multiple shots heard below in home security video outside Halloween party:
During the altercation, shots were fired, and two teenagers were struck.
The incident brought shock to neighbors in the area that they say is normally quiet.
“All of a sudden, I heard, 'Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang,'” said a neighbor named Bob, who heard the shooting. "I see this black car speed up the street about 45-50 miles an hour, then here comes the cops. They were just all over the place."
The two victims got into a car, which crashed a short time later near Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.
Police found a 17-year-old male, who was identified by family as Javen Welcher, inside the car deceased, while a 15-year-old female was injured and is currently on life support. It's not yet known if either victim was driving.
West Valley City Police Department said Saturday morning that suspects are still outstanding as the investigation continues.
Bob and his wife, Marie, were inside their home when the shooting happened — something they never would’ve expected in their neighborhood.
“It wasn’t a nice, normal, calm night. That’s for sure,” said Marie.
The hosts of the party, two brothers, said about 30 to 40 people were at what they had planned to be a “chill” party when the fight began.
“Shocked, shocked, it just doesn’t happen right here,” said Bob.
This shooting comes less than a week after another fatal shooting involving teenagers in West Valley. An 18-year-old attempted a drive-by shooting early in the morning of Oct. 25, in which he shot and wounded a 16-year-old. Someone else shot back at the 18-year-old, and he crashed his car and was later pronounced dead.
