WEST VALLEY CITY, UT — June 16, 2025
A community celebration turned tragic late Sunday night when gunfire erupted at WestFest, an annual event in Centennial Park, leaving three people dead, including an 8-month-old infant and a 41-year-old woman, both bystanders. Police say a 16-year-old male opened fire after a verbal dispute between two groups escalated just as officers arrived on the scene.
The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m., according to Roxanne Vainuku, spokesperson for the West Valley City Police Department. Officers who were patrolling the area approached the arguing groups, at which point the teen suspect allegedly pulled a firearm and began shooting.
Victims and Injuries
The victims include:
- An 18-year-old male, believed to be part of the group involved in the dispute, was pronounced dead at the scene.
- A 41-year-old female and an 8-month-old infant, both innocent bystanders and not related, were taken to the hospital but later died from their injuries.
- A 17-year-old female and a 15-year-old male suffered gunshot wounds to their arms and are recovering.
The 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody at the scene without further incident.
A Celebration Shattered
WestFest is known as a family-friendly event featuring carnival rides, food vendors, and live music, drawing large crowds from across Salt Lake County. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as festivalgoers ran for cover amid the sound of gunfire.
“It was supposed to be a fun night. I was holding my son’s hand and then people just started running. We didn’t even know where the shots were coming from,” said Maria Lopez, who was at the event with her children.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
Police are continuing to investigate the motive and determine how the suspect obtained the firearm. Charges are expected to include multiple counts of homicide, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Utah law allows for juveniles to be tried as adults in violent felony cases.
Officials have not yet released the names of the deceased as they work to notify families.
West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang issued a statement expressing deep sorrow:
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we will do everything in our power to support them and ensure justice is served.”
Grief counselors and trauma support services are being coordinated for students and community members.
Gun Violence Context
This mass shooting marks the 157th incident in the U.S. this year involving four or more victims, not including the shooter, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The event has renewed calls for safer public gathering protocols and increased scrutiny over youth access to firearms.
