Teen accidentally shoots friend in stomach


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WEST VALLEY CITY — Police arrested a 16-year-old boy they say accidentally shot his 15-year-old friend Thursday.

The 16-year-old was playing with a gun while the two teenagers and the victim’s girlfriend were hanging out on a grassy area at Homestead Farms Apartments, 1950 W. 3650 South, according to West Valley City Police Lt. Lamonte Cox.

The victim’s girlfriend said the 16-year-old tried to shoot the gun into the ground and it didn’t go off, Cox said. The 16-year-old kept playing with the gun, accidentally shot his friend in the abdomen and ran away from the scene, he said.

The victim was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. Cox said he expects the victim’s injuries aren’t life-threatening.

Police found the 16-year-old boy at his house and took him into custody, according to West Valley City Police Lt. Matt Elson. Police also found the firearm used.

The teen has been booked into a juvenile detention center for investigation of possession of a firearm and discharge of a firearm, Elson said.

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Madeleine Brown

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