14-year-old transported to hospital after drive-by shooting in West Valley City

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A juvenile around 14 years old was injured after being shot in the shoulder by an individual firing from a vehicle that fled the scene. The teen is expected to survive.

According to Lt. Jorgensen with the West Valley City Police Department, a group of juveniles were in the area of 1500 W Parliament Avenue around 12:45 p.m. when they were approached by a white four-door sedan.

Witnesses told police that there were at least four individuals in the vehicle and that the occupants were asking for the victim by name. After a conversation between the juveniles and the occupants of the vehicle, an individual in the backseat fired one round and shot the 14-year-old victim.

After the shooting, the white sedan sped away from the scene, Jorgensen said. The victim and other juveniles contacted family members and police for help. Police and fire responded to the scene to collect evidence and treat the victim.

The 14-year-old was transported to the hospital, and he is in stable condition and is expected to survive his injuries.

Police canvassed the neighborhood and collected some footage of the vehicle. Jorgensen explained that investigators are working to determine the make and model and the connection between the two groups. Whether the incident was gang-related is under investigation.

The shooter is still at large, but because the group seemed to be targeting a specific individual, Jorgensen said police do not believe there is any risk to the community.